And So Begins 2026

 

As I have shared previously, I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions; rather, I select a word for the year, quote for the year, verse for the year, and a song for the year. 

 

For 2026 I have chosen:

Word for the Year: Transformation

Quote for the Year:    “The moment in between what you once were, and who you are now becoming, is where the dance of life really takes place.” -Barbara de Angelis

Song for the Year: Hasn’t presented itself yet lol.

Verse for the year:  Isaiah 43:19- “"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland". 

 

 

 

As a single mom, I have always devoted myself to my kids. I have been a mom for what seems like forever, and I have reveled and celebrated that role.  The role of mom has been my identity for so long. 

Even in the changes in seasons of my life, my being a mother has been a pillar.  When my older daughter entered adulthood, it was a rocky parting, but time healed a lot of that.  I was busy raising The Midget, which has been its own adventure.  (chronicled in previous posts)

I am entering the later season of life known as the empty nester. She will be moving very soon. I am blessed that it’s a good situation for her, and a safe one. We all wish for our children to be safe and they enter adulthood, and this is a good transition for both of us.  For her, being more independent and taking charge of her life.  For me, knowing she’s in a safe environment with people who care about her.

Life will look very different for me. 

The first few weeks it was so unnervingly quiet and the house felt empty.  I’m so used to schedules, chore lists, and appointments to be made. I would walk into the kitchen and there were no lists, and the calendar days are a lot emptier. No chaos waiting for me. It was too quiet. Empty.   

Then a slow shift started.

Now it is still very quiet, but it’s peaceful. The house is cleaner. Dishes aren't piled up.  No dreading potential disasters, aside from the occasional results of Pareodox's doings.   Yes, I will miss her but it's her time to fly. 

It’s time to embrace the next season of my life-whatever that will look like.

I’ve looked at so many aspects of my life over the last year- from faith to career to self-identity.  I realized that as this new season of life approaches, I can focus on me.  Fully, for the first time, focus on me.  I’m not quite sure how to do that.

A bestie once told me to write down what I want and where I see myself.   I made a cursory attempt and thought it was good, but I had so much trouble doing it.   The truth was that I had no idea what I wanted.  I had no identity outside of being a mom. While I don’t have it nailed down, there are some things that are starting to take shape.

Transformation is a very nebulous subject. I’m looking over spirituality, health, finances, and life in general. 

As I embrace this new season, I do have a sense of excitement.  I do have a couple of things that are obtainable.  I looked over my bucket list and revamped it a bit.  In my list of things, I have two that I want to focus on. More on that later.

I have pinpointed some faith issues I’ve struggled with within myself and found firmer footing in a couple of spots.   I have the view that each tiny solidification is helping to strengthen the foundation.

After lots of tests and establishing baselines, I have set reasonable health goals and have started taking the steps to achieve them. 

Over the last year I have finally found contentment in my employment.  No longer am I considering my spot a place holder.   I am good where I’m at-a sustainable level of chaos, a dash of excitement, something different every day, and co-workers I really enjoy working with.

Welcome, 2026. Let’s do this!