Hello, 2026
and a 30-day challenge
Happy New Year!
It’s been a while since I wrote (you probably didn’t notice, but I took last Friday off). We’ve had an extra-long vacation this year which has been so nice. Since Christmas, I’ve been leaning in hard to all of my favorite winter activities—puzzles, writing, reading, beading, making art, and British mysteries. The holiday chaos is finally over and I know the reality of mid-winter will set in soon, but for the moment, I’m breathing a sigh of relief.
Here are a few recommendations for this first weekend of 2026.
Read this!
My Irish husband taught me the term an “Irish goodbye,” which essentially means sneaking out of an event without saying goodbye to anyone. I wasn’t sure if it was a real expression or something he’d created, but it turns out it’s real. The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O’Neill tells the story of three sisters who all return home to gather together for Thanksgiving dinner. Shadowing the week is their brother Topher, who died by suicide years after a tragic boating accident. A little sad for the new year, but it’s full of family drama and echoes of the past. Plus I love sad books, so there’s that.
Eat this!
After a month of eating and drinking more than I should, my body is ready for a reset. This white bean and tomato soup will be crossing my dinner table someday this week.
Try this!
I used to be big on New Year’s Resolutions, but I’m not really feeling it this year. However, during a unit this fall I did with my students, I stumbled across Matt Cutt’s 3-minute Ted Talk, “Try something new for 30 days.” It’s a 30 day challenge—essentially deciding to do something consistently for 30 days. I love small, manageable challenges like this, and I haven’t yet figured out what I’ll do, but it could be a nice alternative to the traditional New Year’s resolutions, which can easily go out the window by the second week of January. Check out the talk if you’re inspired to try something yourself for 30 days.
I hope 2026 brings more of all of the things that you love. Until next time.
Emily
Happy New Year, Emily!