A Note on Last Year

Looking back at a year that asked more of me and gave me exactly what I needed.

First I just want to say thank you for being here, in ‘26 there will be more of The Sunday Escape, more traveling, more inspiration, more style, more living life well. x

Reflecting on the past year has felt unexpectedly cathartic, if I’m being honest.
It was a year that pushed me, stretched me, and asked more of me than I anticipated. A year filled with some of the happiest moments of my life—and some of the hardest. And yet, I’ve never felt more grounded than I do right now.

That grounding likely comes from a beautiful career shift and a deep desire to truly build a life here in Austin. In that process, I realized how much I had been holding onto that no longer served me—things that no longer brought joy, clarity, or alignment. And so, I shed them.

Looking back, I didn’t consciously step into last year thinking of it as the Year of the Snake. And technically, the Year of the Horse doesn’t even begin until next month with the Lunar New Year. But the shedding still happened. Quietly. Intentionally.

my 2025 vision board

I revisited my vision board - one I’m sharing here, as vulnerable as that feels - to remind myself (and maybe you) that when you call for something, dream it, and truly believe in it, it does show up. Maybe not exactly how you imagined.

Maybe not on your timeline. But what you seek is seeking you, too.

I don’t do resolutions. I’ve never believed in “new year, new me.”
Instead, I reflect. I visualize. I get clear about how I want the year ahead to feel.

These were the words on my board:

Thoughtful Living
It didn’t unfold on the coast of France or Croatia as I once imagined, but it showed up in a much deeper way. I became intentional with my time, my energy, and my choices. My happiness came first and that shift changed everything.

A New Beginning
What I thought was Europe calling turned out to be something closer to home. A move (still within Austin), and a new role that beautifully weaves together every chapter of my career so far. It feels aligned in a way I didn’t know I was missing.

Rest + Home
This one still takes my breath away. We moved, settled, and finally felt the Austin we’d been craving. We rooted ourselves, building community, routine, and a life that feels lived-in and real. And rest. Well, that arrived in ways I never could have predicted.

Reflecting on 2025 during a friend’s Year of the Horse vision boarding day made one thing abundantly clear: I cannot wait to see what 2026 holds for me, and for you.

A few things I’m doing to make the year ahead even better:

– Starting fresh with a new journal. Daily entries are non-negotiable for me.
– Resetting my nervous system through a 21-day challenge that came highly recommended (and truly lives up to it).
– Focusing on being magnetic. If you remember how deeply The Artist’s Way impacted me, this program sits right alongside it.
– Saying no without guilt. Your time is precious. Your energy is sacred. Protect both.

Here’s to what’s unfolding. ✨