While clearing out the post-Christmas sales email, one particular message caught my eye: “Your subscription has renewed!” My breath catches, especially in the days parents can understand of spending too much in a post-holiday panic. “Which subscription?” I thought.

Four. I made four blog posts in 2025. That’s it. Perhaps it is not surprising – I have two little, wonderful children who need my attention, one of whom has only been out of the “baby” stage for only a few months. I write blog posts as a part of my day job. This has been a hard year; harder than most know. And I’m tired. At the end of the day, I struggle to form coherent sentences. Waking up before the kids has been a goal, but one that hasn’t been well-executed. Is blogging even still relevant? Everyone is so caught up in TikTok and Reels that I don’t imagine many take the time to read blog posts (Is this a dying art? As a former journalism minor and avid reader, this hurts my soul!).

One of my goals for 2025 was to ‘Make Space for What Sparks Joy’. In this season, I don’t find myself in this little corner of the internet often, but I’m so glad it is here. Blogging sparks joy for me. Curating lists of things to buy for Prime Day sparks joy. Dreaming up an inspiration board of a space to refresh in my house sparks joy. Sharing a favorite holiday tradition of mine sparks joy. I’m also delighted my WordPress subscription is on autopay – this space is sometimes just as therapeutic for me, regardless of who is reading.

So, for those of you who have stuck around, thank you. If you’re new, I’m glad you’re here. I can’t promise what 2026 will bring to this little space, but I hope you can find a bit of community here – we are the kinds of people who like to laugh, be real, and see the joy in all of the moments. So grab your coffee (or wine!) and let’s catch up.