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And just like that...Another year has come and (almost) gone! I’m currently in that inevitable “mad dash to the finish line” as an entrepreneur chasing deadlines and as a maker hustling to meet gifting demand, but the end is in sight. I’m already feeling myself anticipating the fresh start that the new year is going to provide, and have lots of thoughts about what I envision for myself in 2026.
This past year has actually been an overall positive one for me. For the first time in years we didn’t have to say goodbye to any of our beloved pets. We actually welcomed a new one, which was the absolute highlight of 2025. Stanley has been the perfect “finishing touch” to this generation of our family, and I think he’s just as glad to be a part of our household as we are to have rescued him. Fingers crossed that our current pack of four rescue pets stays the same and healthy for a very, very long time.
As for my mental health, 2025 was transformative for me. As a result of experiencing the worst health crisis of my life in the fall of 2024, I shifted my priorities and mindset drastically by the time 2025 came around. Getting that UC diagnosis rocked my world and taught me that life really is completely unpredictable. I learned that my health was far more important than external looks, which led to me quitting the diet I had started in 2022. Since then, I’ve actually felt full for the first time in years. Gosh, that feels good.
In full disclosure, I also started on anti-depressants. The main reason was to help me manage the stress and anxiety that came with learning that I was going to be living with an auto-immune disease for the rest of my life, but I also learned from my digestive health doctor that Cymbalta is a pretty typical anti-depressant medication for UC sufferers because it has built-in pain relief.
Since starting those meds back in the spring, I have felt much better and more like myself—both mentally and physically. Comment on this newsletter or send me a message if you’d like me to share more of that story here on the newsletter or on my blog, but just know that you’re not alone if you’re struggling with mental health, and I would encourage you to talk to your doctor about possible meds to help get you through this season in life. I’m on the lowest possible dose, but even just that small amount has truly helped me so much.
As for my business, I took a major leap this past summer by putting a throwing studio in our home. That investment has been a real turning point for me and my pottery brand. I’ve been working so much more consistently on it this year, and have decided to make it a full fledged part of my creative work life.
I often worry that I’m going to age out of content creation as I enter my 40s next year. The “influencer” scene is absolutely packed with new, much younger people every single day, and I wonder if I’ll still be relevant as I enter my sixteenth year as a full-time blogger and social media persona.
Because of those worries, I’ve decided to start investing energy into other parts of my business that I can see myself working passionately towards for the next few decades, and fine art ceramics is at the top of that list. I have no intention whatsoever of quitting the blog, but my intuition is telling me that ceramics is the path I need to explore next, so I’m doing so “full steam ahead.”
All that to say that this past year has been full of teaching moments that my heart has been wide open to. I’ve tried new things, allowed myself to be more vulnerable, taken a hard look at bad habits, and turned my intention toward better ones. Who knows what 2026 will have in store for me, but I’m excited to see what’s to come. I hope you’re able to have a positive outlook on the new year, too!
Before I sign off, I wanted to mention that if you’re local to the Waynesboro area, I hope you’ll stop by Happ Coffee this Saturday between 8-3pm for a makers market where I’ll be selling my handmade ceramics in person for the very first time. I’m nervous but excited to have the opportunity to watch customers actually pick up and consider investing in my collection, and (not to sound like a broken record but) I know I’ll learn so much from the experience. Nothing thrills me more than imagining people incorporating my pots into their daily routines. I hope to see you there.
Tell me about something you learned from the past year below!
New On The Blog: Since this newsletter is my last of the year, I wanted to address the fact that your New Year reset opportunity is quickly coming up! If you’re planning on purging and reorganizing, don’t miss this blog post from Dream Green DIY all about how to add shelf liners to your closets using peel-and-stick wallpaper. I’ll be doing lots of projects like this in that limbo between Christmas and New Years.
What I’m Watching: If you’re still in full-on Christmas decorating mode, then I think you’ll love this beautiful eclectic English home tour full of collected holiday accents.
What I’m Reading: My friend Nikki and I are currently reading I Capture The Castle for our bi-monthly book club, and I’m finding it to be really sweet and lyrical so far. The author also wrote 101 Dalmatians, so you know it’s going to be good.
Favorite Recent Purchase: I bought this oversized shift dress to wear over a long-sleeve turtleneck bodysuit for Thanksgiving, and it was so comfy! With a pair of knee-high boots and that added bodysuit layer, it was definitely warm enough, and offered plenty of room around the waistline for extra holiday calories. Highly recommend this combo for your Christmas and New Year’s parties later this month.
Looking Forward To: A brand new start come January 1, 2026, of course! I can’t wait to have time to take a big deep breath and embrace a fresh outlook on life and my small business(es).
A few favorite posts from the Dream Green DIY archives:
Free New Years Printable Goals List (just cross out and rewrite the year 2026, and you’re golden)
🛒 This newsletter contains affiliate links. This enables me to earn a small commission from the things you buy at $0 cost to you. Thanks for your support and for trusting my recommendations—rest assured that I take a lot of time to research so I’m only sharing the best of the best with you.
💻 For more of my life, home renovation, and DIY design business, follow along on Instagram, and check out my blog, Dream Green DIY.
🧡 And last but not least, I think you’re absolutely amazing! Don’t forget to treat yourself this week because you undoubtedly deserve it.
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