Just as much as I love reflecting back on the past year, I would say I love planning and setting goals even more—not as an “I have to succeed at everything” approach, but as a way of orienting myself down the path of who I am becoming.
I recently read a quote, often attributed to John Dewey, about reflection that stuck with me: we do not learn from experience—we learn from reflecting on experience. That idea has been shaping how I think about 2026.
One of my main goals this year is to reflect more—daily, if possible. And that is really the heart of this journal.
To bear witness to the life I am living.
To pay attention to the ways God is already at work.
To cultivate a rhythm of rest and reflection.
Here are the other rhythms I’m choosing to hold in 2026—again, in no particular order.
The Running Streak
This one is a given.
I’ll continue my running streak—at least one mile every day, no exceptions. There are a few milestones I’m especially looking forward to this year:
- Comma Day: June 22nd, the day I hit 1,000 consecutive days (because a comma finally enters the number).
- Gump Day: December 11th, which will absolutely include a costume.
Beyond the streak itself, I want to run more trails this year, host more meet-ups with my running group, and work toward improving my 5K time. I also hope to strength train three times a week using Nourish Move Love workouts (free on YouTube—check her out!), and possibly give intermittent fasting a try.
There’s a lot of space here to experiment—trying new things, keeping what works, throwing away what doesn’t, and slowly growing into a healthier version of myself.
Books
For the past few years, I’ve set reading goals. In 2024, my goal was 50 books (I think I ended up two short). In 2025, I aimed for 25 and just barely reached it.
This year, my goal is more focused: one fiction and one nonfiction book each month.
I love fiction, and about 80% of what I read for fun falls into that category, so the nonfiction side will be a stretch. I’m hoping it challenges me, broadens my thinking, and promotes growth alongside enjoyment.
Spiritual Practices
Separate from book reading, I plan to participate in our church’s Bible reading plan, which is typically one chapter a day. I’m choosing this instead of The Bible Recap, which I’ve completed the last two years, because I really want to slow down.
My hope for 2026 is less rushing and more lingering—more time for meditation, study, and listening. I’d like to incorporate spiritual practices like lectio divina and the examen more regularly, using resources such as Lectio 365, Lectio for Families, and Hallow.
Generosity
In 2026, I want to be more intentional about tracking my giving.
I’ve realized that while I’m aware of what I give through the church, I’m much less aware of how much I give in other ways throughout the year. I want to track additional donations and gifts—not as a pressure point, but as a baseline. My hope is that this awareness will help inform more intentional generosity in the future.
Relationships
It can be so easy to pass like ships in the night with the people closest to us.
One of my hopes for this year is to be more intentional in my marriage. That may look like sharing coffee together a couple mornings each week, taking evening walks once the weather gets nicer, and setting aside one intentional at-home evening each week—dessert, a show, or a game.
With the kids, we’re hoping to implement a monthly “fun day.” We’ll set a budget, and on alternating months, one family member gets to choose the activity. And bonus: if you don’t use all of your allotted budget, you can save it for the next month.
My hope is that this rhythm will help us practice anticipation, planning, budgeting, and bonding. And if I’m honest, it’s also for me—I tend to overspend by saying yes to spontaneous expenses, so I’m hoping this helps me grow in those areas too.
Abide 
Leave a comment