2026: what’s gonna give?
this was originally published on my substack. If that’s more your style, head on over there and follow me! I promise lots of dumb jokes and run-on sentences… because I may be the grammar police, but sometimes I just need to let the words flow as they come.
I started 2026 thinking it would be another year of consistency and stability, both for my family and for myself.
You know that saying about how you make plans and God laughs? Or the universe calls for something bigger? I always smiled when I heard that sentiment because I could see how it would be true. But I always shrugged and thought that it would never find me.
Two weeks into 2026, I was let go from my job because of unfortunate financial circumstances. Agency life can be brutal, and we’d been seeing a lot of churn in the last couple of months. Budget cuts, misalignment on goals, and an unfortunate roster of clients who either didn’t understand what we offered or didn’t do their part to make sure their goals were met. Sigh.
So, while I wasn’t altogether very surprised, it was still sad/ shocking/ weird. And it still is.
I loved my job. Don’t get me wrong — it was stressful. Balancing clients in many industries, all with their own challenges, was a lot to handle most of the time. But the work forced me to grow in a way I never had before (professionally), and losing that was a bigger loss than I anticipated.
So, now I’m sitting with the question: what’s next?
My angel of a husband, the most patient and supportive person, talked me off the ledge when I got the news. My anxiety was rearing its head in all the typical ways… “you’re not good enough” mixed with “now how are you going to contribute?” alongside “you know the job market is nuts right now. You’re never going to find something” had me in a real tizzy. And it still does.
So, what am I doing with my extra free time while I'm searching for a new job?
Reading. My daughter and I are both reading the Harry Potter series. Her for the first time, me for like the 5th. I haven’t picked these books up in a decade, and it feels like a nostalgic hug. It’s somewhat healing for me, to be honest.
Cooking more. The loss of income means dinners out is the first thing to go from our monthly budget sob … aka my favorite thing.
I’ve been digging into new recipes, tasty after-school snacks for my kids, and enjoying the new smells from my kitchen.
I started running again. I always hated running as a high school athlete, but I swear, the post-run high is one I will chase forever. I loved cycling for the same reason, but the intensity never worked for my body. Running is certainly not low impact, but there’s just something so challenging about it that I can’t quit (unless my knees give out) currently perfecting my run playlist, and I’m so open to your suggestions!
Trying to recenter myself and focus on what matters. The hardest and yet, the most important of all. I am not sure what this looks like just yet but I’m focused on moving my body every day, spending time with my family, reaching out to friends with my newfound time and freedom, writing again (hello!) and maybe pursuing some old/ new hobbies.
I’m not sure what this year holds for me professionally, but I am hopeful, open, and ready for whatever the universe and God have in store.
