How has 2026 come faster than any other year?
2025 was gone so quickly it feels like, maybe because I was chasing a toddler and was so busy stepping into my role as a first time stay at home mom that I just didn't notice? I feel like I blinked but I was trying to be so in the moment with my family that I don't know how the year is already over...
Is it like that for any other moms or parents?
All The Cozy Things
We have a cold front right now that is so wonderful, I love the cold weather & getting to do all the cozy warm things when it comes ☕️🕯️
The little couch in our room is right next to Little Coffee Bean's crib, so I'm able to be next to her while reading or anything and I absolutely love it 💗 It's like my little corner amidst all the chaos, even if I only get it in the evenings most times!
Even better is when I can have one of the cozy ambience videos going in the background 😍 *sigh* I love those so much whether reading or writing!
If you like them too, which ones are your favorite??
For me it varies on what I'm doing! Even if I'm writing, it depends on which project I'm working on haha
Thankfully, my hubby got off work earlier today (New Year's Eve) and is playing with Little Coffee Bean so I can have some time and type this up!
All The Bookish Things
I unfortunately didn't finish my 2025 reading goal of 50 books 😔 I was only 5 books behind, but... everything this season has been so beyond hectic for us that I just couldn't force myself. Instead I chose to be kind to myself and celebrate the number I did read! All the 5 stars, all the new favorites, all the new authors I get to support and fangirl over, and all the series I can't wait to read more of in this new year!!
I'm learning the hard way to have grace towards myself, to not beat myself up about everything I didn't do right, couldn't do, or failed in. Especially because, as my mother has told me when I asked her for advice: these are goals that you set for yourself that are usually at a pace you can't do. And she's absolutely right, so I'm trying to listen to her advice more this new year.
Any plans or goals I make I'll set where I can be flexible if need be with life things, change them to fit instead of driving myself sick to meet unrealistic expectations that only I set for myself.
So for reading my goal for 2026 is to read 28 books!
I would love to try and set it for higher, but my life's season of chaotic has not changed yet and our second baby will be coming in July... I'm not sure what recovery will look like or life with a toddler and newborn yet. I'll endlessly rejoice for it all though!!
I hope to support more of the authors I've discovered this past year, finish some of the series I started, and find more reads to absolutely love and share about.
From the holidays, family, & the best bookish friends ever I have several new reads I am so so excited to dive into and finish in January as soon as I can!!
Walking on Water by Madeleine L'engle is one of my top ones that I've already started in the mornings when I can after Bible study, it was gifted from my grandma and is an essay on reflections on Faith and Art so I'm very eager to read it for this new year!
From These Dark Depths & With These Last Breaths by Vanessa Rasanen are the last two books in her pirate romantasy trilogy that I have desperately been wanting to finish (she has several other books out as well, I highly suggest checking out) and she surprise gifted them to me from my book wishlist!!
Bound to the Fae King by Megan Van Dyke (book 2 in her standalone fae romantasy series) Love love love this woman's books!! I originally discovered her last year with her newest release at that time but I've been making my way through her previous books since then!!
There are so many more I hope to read in January, but these are the top 4 that I'm hopeful to finish!!
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Writing wise I'm praying and taking my time with. My family comes first, but I'm working towards re-publishing my YA sci-fi dystopian books (the first one is set to get re-published as it needed more edits and revisions and book 2 will get released at the same time for the first time Lord allowing).
I would love for this to happen in 2026 but we'll see where the Lord leads me, all good things come in His time after all.
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What about you lovelies??
I'd love to hear about your New Years!! Plans, goals, reading or writing updates and hopes!
Wishing you all a wonderful season & a happy new year!!
Lots of love!
NoelW
I'm happy to hear your celebrating what you were able to accomplish instead of focusing on goals you didn't meet. You do really have to give yourself grace when you have a small child. I remember hardly having any personal time when my kids were young, but that craziness doesn't last forever. Being a stay-at-home mom is a lot of work, but such an important job! Bravo to you! :)
ReplyDeletethank you so much friend!! It's truly not easy despite what anyone says, especially now that we've started potty training *grimace*
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