As 2026 begins, I have found myself reflecting less on milestones in 2025 and more on what quietly shaped the months that just passed. When I asked myself what word best describes the year behind me, the answer came easily. Connection.
The Year of Connection
Connection showed up everywhere. In time spent with family, in deeper moments with my children away from the noise of daily life, and in continued closeness with Bruce. It appeared in reconnecting with my parents during a milestone anniversary year, looking back at their life together and revisiting relationships from the past. Professionally, it showed up through long-standing clients returning and relationships deepening rather than expanding outward resulting in projects completed and ongoing.
Choosing Fearless
One of the most important lessons of the year was that fear does not disappear on its own. It needs to be met directly. I had chosen the word fearless at the start of 2025 as my intention for the year, and that intention shaped some very practical decisions. After years of hesitation, I finally went ahead with eye surgery. I also began showing up more visibly in my work, speaking on camera, hosting Instagram Lives, and recording our YouTube series. Letting go of concerns about how I look, sound, or might be judged has been quietly liberating, both personally and professionally.
Within my studio, the year turned out better than I expected. The team felt strong, calm, and aligned. Losing and gaining team members along the way led us to a place of balance and clarity. It has been one of the smoothest years we have had internally, helped by the right people being in the right roles, and by working with shared values and mindset.
There were also moments that required reassessment. Clearing out warehouse stock and committing fully to outlet sales was not an easy decision, financially or emotionally: letting go of products at a loss forces you to confront attachment and ego. But making space, both physically and mentally, has since proven to be one of my most impactful business decisions of the year: clarity creates momentum.
Wins, Big and Small
I am proud of many things that happened in 2025. Being a finalist in the International Architecture and Design Awards stands out professionally. Just as important are the quieter wins, a team that works well together, an organic garden at home that feeds us, and making space for meaningful moments with family.
Not everything went to plan. Bureaucracy and delayed permissions led to the loss of two projects, a reminder that some things remain outside our control. Accepting that without carrying frustration forward has been part of the learning.
Stepping Into 2026 With Intention
As I step into the year ahead, what matters most to me is to protect health and relationships. Everything else rests on those foundations. The word I have chosen for this year is intentional. Not doing more, but doing what matters. Creating space for creativity, for community, for collaboration, and for a slower, more considered way of working and living.
If I could leave myself a note at the start of this year, it would be simple. Breathe deeply. Trust the flow, but stay intentional. Focus on what brings clarity, connection, and quiet confidence, and allow everything else to fall into place from there.
Happy new year to you and yours, I hope it is a wonderful one.