52 in 52: 2026 Edition

If you’re new around here, every year I write a list of 52 things to do in 52 weeks, kind of like new years resolutions, but just a lot more of them. It doesn’t matter if I do them all, the point is to get to the end of the year, and reflect on what I did do. I try to keep the list fun, but sometimes I’ll sneak some things in that are items I’ve been putting off, or just need that bit of extra motivation.

I also pick a “word of the year” every year too. Last year my word was “joy”, and my 52 list was very centered around that.

This year my word is “resilience”. I want to learn to be more resilient, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for my child to develop the same skills as well. I still don’t deal with stress well, and I’m the first one to beat myself up when something isn’t perfect, or to a high enough standard. If I can be more resilient, and develop a growth mindset, all while teaching my son the same skills, then win win! Plus, some of my 52s will be loosely based around that.

So, onto the list!

52 in 52 for 2026

1. Learn how to solve a Rubik’s cube.
2. Begin journaling every day.
3. Learn how to play the drums.
4. Learn lettering (writing in different fonts etc).
5. Complete more items in my Family Adventure book.
6. Learn how to use the fake nail tips.
7. Try doing ombre nails (like a gradient effect on my nails).
8. Learn how to make paper flowers (I bought the stuff last year then didn’t use it).
9. Design Australian Christmas Cards (doing paper craft with cardstock, doing some layering etc).
10. Start a new book series.
11. Make a shadowbox or a paper cut light box.
12. Decorate cookies with royal icing.
13. Create and stick to a realistic, achievable blog schedule.
14. Learn a new hairstyle.
15. Send a handwritten letter.
16. Do a lego project.
17. Complete another water bottle resin project.
18. Make my American holiday video (from 2024….seriously, I need to do this!)
19. Print more photos and hang them in my office.
20. Make earrings.
21. Earn an iFit badge every month.
22. Do pilates more regularly using my pilates board.
23. Finish a virtual run.
24. Sign up for another virtual run.
25. Climb a bridge.
26. Buy new sunglasses (my current ones fall off my head and are driving me nuts).
27. Stop eating lunch at my desk.
28. Practice gratitude every day.
29. Grow the damage out of my nails.
30. Start a capsule wardrobe.
31. Create a routine for finishing work (I work from home, and want to change my mindset a bit to have a clear separation of work vs home life).
32. Take stretch breaks during work.
33. Hide my social media apps on my phone.
34. Don’t use social media on my phone when I wake up.
35. Keep a list of memories for the year.
36. Embrace imperfection.
37. Finish the Big Life Journal with my son.
38. Make an effort to stay in touch with friends more.
39. Schedule a regular catch-up with friends.
40. Make a gift pack for a friend.
41. Have a board games night.
42. Go on a boat.
43. Alphabet travel challenge (visit places that start with each letter of the alphabet).
44. Go somewhere green.
45. Go somewhere purple.
46. Visit somewhere new.
47. Participate in Clean Up Australia Day.
48. Do something kind for a stranger.
49. Compliment a stranger.
50. Reinstate date night.
51. Start a new ritual with my husband, e.g. coffee dates.
52. Have a no-agenda weekly cuddle night with my husband.

That’s the list for this year!

There are some I’m really excited about, some feel a little daunting but it’s good to get uncomfortable.

The biggest one for me this year is the blog schedule. Interestingly, I turned to ChatGPT to help me brainstorm what a realistic schedule could look like, and instantly, I felt called out. It replied with:

First: very normal situation, and also a great instinct to want more writing without turning your life into a productivity hostage situation. 🙌

The goal here isn’t “publish a lot” — it’s re-building a writing habit that fits your real life.

Then it dived into a whole plan, pointing out that I didn’t have to write, and edit, and publish, in one go.

Whaaatttt…?!

Why did that feel like an earth-shattering realisation to me? I mean, I write for a living, and even then I know that something drafted on day 1 and edited/published on day 2 is hands-down better than smashing it all out in a single day. Why wasn’t I giving myself the grace to do that with my blog?

I suddenly had this realisation that I am incredibly good at overwhelming myself with the desire for perfection, which is basically impossible to achieve. It’s why I had dropped using a planner too – I wanted the perfect sticker layout, and neat writing, etc. Suddenly, the sheer effort of completing my planner every week outweighed the joy of using it. It was the same story with my holiday video I keep putting off, and so many other projects.

Thus was born another 52 – embrace imperfection.

This year my goal is to blog more, no matter how poorly it’s written. To start the video. To keep the journal. To try a new craft project.

To just do.

I feel like it’s going to be another good year.

Hello 2026, I’m excited to meet you.