January 1, 2026
Few things excite me more than a blank slate and a world of possibilities, which means New Year’s is one of my favorite days of the year. We already know 2026 will be filled with massive changes, from moving across the country to the empty nest, so I have spent much time pondering the best use of my time, energy, and focus in the months ahead.
How do I prepare myself to thrive when my entire life changes?
I do not have all the answers yet, but I am trying to be patient and trust God with the process. Let’s just say that patience is not always my finest attribute, so *trying* is the operative word.
When I was a young mom, praying for patience became a daily affair. The Lord, with his perfect sense of humor, then proceeded to send me several children who would routinely take me to the edge of my sanity help me develop the Christlike attribute of patience. Easy, agreeable kids were not in the cards because, apparently, developing patience was more important than enjoying my life keeping my ducks in a row.
The kids have all turned out exceptionally well in spite of me. And, here we are, months from the empty nest, still working on learning how to navigate uncertainty with tolerance, willingness, forbearance, and long-suffering, all of which Merriam-Webster tells me are synonyms for patience.
I believe I am in trouble.
Learning to be Christlike is a marathon, which is a stretch for people like me who hate running with their whole soul. Also, we cannot be gifted in every way. Mortality demands a measure of imperfection, and I am happy to oblige.
I digress.
As I consider what it will take to prepare for the inevitably wild ride of 2026, I am composing three lists that will (hopefully) cover all my bases: things to start doing, stop doing, and continue doing.
I do not claim to be any sort of expert on these matters. While I thrive on the big-picture possibilities, I’m not as skilled at breaking them down into actionable steps. (Translation: New Year’s Resolutions are my nemesis.)
But I will give it an honest go with the understanding that I have a loooooonggg way to go and cannot do everything right now. You know what they say: one step at a time and all that. We cannot all be Superwoman.
Things to Start Doing:
- Trade daily scripture reading for daily scripture study (Come with a question and set a timer for 30 minutes if possible)
- Pray daily for specific ways to BE His hands and SEE His hands
- Study the lives of my ancestors who lived in Missouri as I prepare to move there
- Study the prophecies and promises related to Missouri and the Second Coming
- Be more intentional with sharing on social media (and the time involved)
- Trade scrolling for reading
- Record my journal entries/blog in audio format and post them on the podcast
- Declutter my home/life (translation: get rid of as much stuff as possible)
- Be consistent with strength training (at least twice/week)
- Eat 30+ plants per week
- Prioritize social connection
- Nail down the future of my business (that is collecting dust)
Things to Stop Doing:
- Focusing on the challenges of my situation
- Mindlessly scrolling on Instagram
- Staying up late watching TV
- Eating sugary snacks (the holidays wrecked me!)
- Comparing my progress to others’ (especially on social media)
Things to Continue Doing:
- Weekly temple attendance (as a patron and an ordinance worker)
- Read or listen to all of President Oaks’ past talks
- Daily writing/journaling (and publishing entries that are not too personal)
- Hike as much as possible because there are no mountains in Missouri
- Finish my culinary certification
- Meal planning, homemade meals, and “mostly plants”
- Planning for the future (What will my next chapter entail?)
- Learning more effective ways to teach the gospel
2026 promises to be a masterclass in embracing change, but I need not sit idly by while change sweeps me downstream. It is clear I have plenty to practice as I navigate the muddy middle where I now reside.
I cannot always control the mud, but with God’s help, I can work my way through it by starting some things, stopping some, and continuing with others.
Let’s get this show on the road!
**Read the rest of this journaling series here.
