To say that I neglected my little corner of the internet in 2025 would perhaps be an understatement. The good thing about having hobbies is that they’re patient. So we’re back, another year done! 2025 was so busy, full of work and friends and concerts and new hobbies. It’s time to reflect, them look ahead! Let me know in the comments how your year was, reading or otherwise! Did you read some great books? pick up any new hobbies?
2025 reflection
my favourite reads of 2026
I always set a reading challenge as a personal choice to read more. In 2025 in particular, I wanted to limit scrolling and prioritise reading during my time away from work. With this in mind, I set my highest reading challenge number to date — 100 books — in an attempt to support choosing books over mindlessness and activities that are ultimately poor for my mental health. I am thrilled that I completed this literally on the final day of the year (after reading two of my shortest books). I think being intentional with reading during my downtime had a really positive effect on my general well being. In addition to this, I also got to read some really excellent (and some not so excellent) books this year. I didn't read quite as broadly as I have in the past, but I had a great time overall which is really all that matters. I read a lot of fantasy this year, and finally picked up many physical books that have been patiently waiting on my shelves for some time.
Along with working full time, I did a lot of living this year. I attended many concerts and dinners with friends and bagel breakfasts. I travelled a lot with work, saw a lot of the state and learnt a lot. I also picked up a new hobby - knitting! About mid-2025 I decided I would give knitting a try, and I have since made scarves, gloves, and sweaters. I wasn’t anticipating picking up a craft this year, but it became another excellent way to cut down on unnecessary scrolling. Knitting while watching tv is such a delightful after-work activity. Not to mention it has opened up a whole new creative outlet, topics to chat about with friends, and the incredible feeling of making something with your own two hands. I would recommend picking up some knitting needles in 2026!
2026 goals
I have set a significantly lower reading goal this year, in the hopes that I have developed some healthy habits from my test in 2025. If I read 40 books this year I will be stoked! In saying that, I would really like to read and review more of my non-fiction books I have stacking up which I know takes me much longer to read and digest. I would also like to, once again, prioritise books I already own in 2026 (which will hopefully be a bit more relaxed in the new-publications that 2025).
2025 christmas haul
We’re prioritising ~
reading books we already own
going analog (notebooks / diaries / printing photos)
knitting with yarn I already have / patterns I already own
taking more photos
Thanks for reading and here’s to a fabulous 2026 ✨