2025 asked me to slow down, listen to my body, and trust that growth can still happen in the quiet seasons. As I look ahead to 2026, I’m carrying gratitude for what’s passed and gentle hope for what’s to come.
As another year draws to a close, I’ve been taking a few quiet evenings to reflect on everything 2025 brought – the lessons, the unexpected turns, and the small joys that made even the hard days worthwhile.
This year was a wild mix of challenge and growth – one filled with learning, change, and a deeper appreciation for what truly matters. Between juggling family life, health issues, and diving back into university study after a 20-year break, I often felt stretched thin, but also strangely grounded. Returning to study has been both exciting and daunting – rediscovering learning habits, writing essays again, and building confidence in a whole new field.
There were weeks where my body simply said “not today,” and I had to listen. I’m learning (slowly) that rest isn’t failure – it’s part of the process.
Family, Health & Milestones
2025 wasn’t always smooth sailing. Family health challenges tested our strength and patience but also deepened our gratitude. Through specialist visits, recovery days, and moments of worry and hope, we were reminded how precious good health – and good support – truly are. Later in the year, we received some good health news that felt like a collective sigh of relief – a reminder to celebrate small victories. Then a fractured wrist in late November that threw a spanner in the works, but we managed.
2025 saw James and I celebrate 19 years of marriage – nearly two decades of laughter, growth, and shared adventures. It was also six years without Mum, and that anniversary brought quiet reflection. Grief changes shape over time – it softens, but it never truly leaves. Remembering her continues to ground me, especially during moments of change and celebration.
Another milestone was K starting at Indie School – a big step filled with pride, nerves, and excitement. Watching them find their rhythm has been one of the most rewarding parts of the year.
After six years of helping with foster caring for Just Cats, 2025 became the year to pause. It was bittersweet stepping back, but the break has offered time to rest, refocus, and prepare for what’s next.
Creativity, Community & Connection
Despite everything, creativity remained a steady companion. Whether through journaling, photography, or small creative projects, art became a lifeline – a reminder to notice beauty even in hard seasons.
I’ve found my creative community this year – people who get it, who understand the quiet magic of making and storytelling. I also helped facilitate some creative sessions for local youth, watching them light up with ideas and confidence. That sense of connection – community and creativity interwoven – has been one of the greatest gifts of the year.
And of course, coaching school hockey again was another highlight. Watching my Division 2 kids bring home another Country Gold win made my heart burst. Standing on the sideline, watching them give it their all, reminded me of what resilience really looks like.
Lessons from 2025
🕯️ Rest is a form of resistance. Slowing down doesn’t mean giving up – it means honouring what I need.
🌸 The small things matter. A tidy corner, a cup of tea, a handmade gift, a quiet walk – these are the real treasures.
🌕 Creativity doesn’t need an audience to be valid.
🔥 The magic is always in the ordinary – you just have to notice it.
❤️ Health is everything. Never take a good day for granted.
🌱 Learning keeps you young. It’s never too late to start something new.
🌧️ Grief and love coexist. They shape who we are and how we grow.
🌾 Change requires courage. Keep moving forward, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Intentions for 2026
As 2026 begins, my focus is balance – the sweet spot between doing and being, creating and resting, giving and receiving. I want the year to feel sustainable, intentional, and joy-filled.
- 🌻 Simplify. Less clutter, less chaos, more breathing space.
- 🌻 Create freely. Keep making, writing, and experimenting without pressure or perfectionism.
- 🌻 Nurture the home. Continue weaving creativity and comfort through our little house and garden.
- 🌻 Honour the cycles. Of the moon, the seasons, my body, and the energy that flows through it all.
- 🌻 Stay true. To my own pace, my values, and the way I see the world.
There are specific goals I’ve set for the year ahead – some big, some beautifully small – but I’ll share those in an upcoming post once they’ve had more time to settle.
Here’s to 2026: a year of purpose, peace, and possibility. May it bring learning, laughter, creativity, and connection – and may we all remember that even on the messy days, we’re right where we need to be.
With love from the Den,
– Nightwolf 🐺