Year in review

and what I'm hoping to do in 2026

Consider this some kind of crossover between a Christmas letter, year in review, and how I’m hoping to take what I’ve learned this year into the year ahead. Side note: I’ve been so very busy working on some other creative projects but it feels great to be writing on here again, even if it’s just to do a year in review post.

---

What a year it has been. Just as I was getting over a breakup just in time for the US to be thrown (predictably) into chaos. It’s left me tired to be sure. Seeing public health get gutted as my public health trained self hadn’t even recovered from the turmoil of the pandemic felt like an especially personal gut punch, as has seeing so many people I know struggle more and more to keep their businesses or even personal lives afloat. Funding for my own work continues to be uncertain even though I’ve so far weathered the grant cut storm reasonably unscathed compared to many collaborators.

(🫩)

But it’s also been a tremendously productive year in many ways. I’ve found myself regaining my passion if not obsession for all kinds of creative outlets and I’m truly enjoying the research I get to do on a daily basis.

I’ve qualified for my PhD. Traveled a lot (Korea, Nashville, Atlanta x2, Lake Tahoe, Washington DC). I had my art in 2 exhibits, a poem accepted for publication, and even an essay proposal rejected from a magazine. I also publish a research paper and a second about to one published.

I’ve also found such joy in connecting with you all on this platform and reading so much breathtakingly beautiful writing. (I’ve also been liberal with the show fewer notes like this button but nothing is perfect…). And I’m so deeply touched by the kind and thoughtful comments I’ve received on my own work.

Beyond the things mentioned above, some of my other favorite things from the past year have been:

• Getting a garden plot

• Taking an summer semester art class

• Making some design tools for digital fabrication

• Booking a last minute trip to see my best friend’s final choral performance

• Emptying out my closet floor and turning it into a reading/meditation nook

• Spending lots of time in the coffee shop and park without a laptop or phone

• Making friends with a barista I used to see all the time (ironically by running into them after they quit that job)

• Finally figuring out how I want to structure my life and how little I need to be happy (but also panicking about making enough to fuel my dream “job” of running my own art and research studio)

---

Ok ok I know ins and outs are a bit overplayed but you know what? I’m gonna give you my 2026 ins and outs list anyway.

Ins:

• Making more writing or art making friends in my city (to the tune of If You're Ever Down In Texas, Look Me Up: If you’re ever up in Boston look me up)

• Annotating books and adding them to my digital garden even though it takes lots of time

• Even more legal pads and notebooks (I simply cannot have enough. It’s a problem. They’re strewn about all over my apartment.) There are few joys greater than rushing to write down an idea on whatever the nearest piece of paper is

• Recommending more music to others and getting more recommendations. New vinyls sure to come as well

• Hosting a party in my garden (also more parties and informal gatherings in general especially with my new volunteering and church friends)

• Art making of all kinds

• Poetry. I really want to dedicate time to reading/writing poems this year because they have been tremendously impactful to me in 2025

• Listening to my body when it wants to rest and reminding myself that I always feel and work better when I actually do

• Saying no when needed without needing to over explain myself

• Capturing everyday moments through writing, art, or just paying better attention. And learning what makes moments salient

• Leaving notes or doodles for friends or strangers

• Funk and dance parties even if it’s just me dancing in my kitchen

Outs:

• Basically all social media except this and YouTube. Over the course of the last year I’ve permanently deleted TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and recently even LinkedIn.

• Doing things I really dislike just because someone says it’ll “help my career”

• Dismissing or hating people (of course firm boundaries are still a must in some situations)

• Taking my phone with me everywhere

• Being afraid to feel emotions as they arise

• Prematurely censoring my own thoughts and leaning into being “weird”

• Worrying about exactly what someone is thinking about me and getting in my own head instead of just making my best effort to connect with/encourage/compliment someone

• Doing/committing to things that will cause unnecessary amounts of paperwork or time commitments just because other people are doing them

---

Perhaps above all, my soul feels alive. Sure that can take the form of angry, weary, and certainly anxious. But also excited, passionate, dedicated, fearless, and even joyful at times. I’ve found a renewed sense of trust in myself and God that I’d lost. As cliched as it is, I’m listening to myself again and, wouldn’t you know it, I’m finding I love waking up most mornings for the first time in years. I’ve simplified so many aspects of my day and yet I find more and more pockets of joy.

I’m so excited to share more writing and project updates with you all in the new year. I’m willing to bet 2026 will be stressful and exhausting, but I hope also exciting, formative, and full of love, grace, and passion. May we remember our humanity and cherish those around us in ever deeper ways even amidst disagreements. May we remember that we are all flawed and desperately in need of love.

Love you now and always <3 happy new year