Things I’m letting go of

In the first week of January, 2026, I got my hands on a few new journals.

One is going to be used for Bible notes and prayer. The other is a bulleted journal, and I have decided to use it for short daily notes, as well as ‘sidebars’ where I will be jotting quotes that I like.

Every few pages, I set aside some space in my BuJo for commentary on the books that I am reading. This allows me to quote them when the time comes to review them for this blog.

I do not doodle; my BuJo is not Pinterest friendly. Instead, I use pretty stickers to add some color to the pages.

Today, I am sick. I woke up with a fever and cough that make it difficult to focus on Piranesi, though every now and then I do sit down and read a bit on my phone (it’s always around, so I’ve abandoned the snobbery of ‘books only’ or ‘Kindle only’ in favor of whatever allows me to get to the story I love faster. So long as we enjoy what we are reading, I do not believe there is a better way).

From this update, it would seem that 2026 has begun unorganized and directionless. 2025 began with me hyper-fixated on reading a specific kind of book, within a set time frame, and then attempting to compose essays about them.

These essays would impress my readers and convince them that I did learn from what I was reading. This year, I do not feel the pressure to do that; this year, I have realized that I better enjoy what I’m doing if I relax while working on it.

I woke up today, coughed a little, and fixed coffee. While waiting for it to cool, I sat at my piano and played O Isis and Osiris. With patience, I intend to work through my book of simplified classics, not for the purpose of impressing visitors, but because I want to read music as much as I read books.

Last night, at a thrift store, I purchased a 6-cupcake baking pan and made a quick batch of vanilla cupcakes, sprinkling powdered sugar on them in place of buttercream. My family approved, so I am definitely going to make that recipe again.

Oh, and despite my fear of donating books (in the past, I’ve always regretted letting go of them, because there’s always a book I realized later that I wanted to read) I filled a cardboard box with tomes for donation. It is the first of at least two donation loads. I have more space in my room; the surface of my desk is clear, so I can read Scripture, write in my diary, and sit in peaceful silence.

I am letting go of the notion that I have to look a certain way, in order to feel productive. I am letting go of the pressure to be like other bloggers who are comfortable with niches and disciplined enough to keep schedules. I admire them so much—I hope to be like them one day. However, if in the process of acting like them, I lose the peace and joy that my hobbies ought to offer, I don’t consider it worthwhile. In time, when I am equipped and ready, I know I can reach that goal.

Here is a photo of my books in the donation bin:

I am letting go of the fear that ‘no one cares’ about what happens in my day-to-day life. After all, I enjoy reading personal blog posts written by others; I’ve learned so much by reading their insights.

Writing allows us to learn the wisdom of ordinary people, folk that we can relate to, because their struggles are similar to ours. Their situations are not that different; their hobbies are such that we can relate to. If I have Writer’s Block, I can read posts by other writers who’ve experienced the same thing. If I am not sure of what to read next, I can ask people who enjoy similar genres, and they’ll offer a wealth of suggestions.

If I’m having trouble praying, dark nights of the soul are not unique to me. If, due to my flawed humanity, my usual methods of prayer are not fulfilling, I can ask others what worked for them. Or I can accept their encouragement as I sit in that sweet silence, knowing that—surely as I stand at the door and keep knocking—eventually, I’ll hear His voice again.

My BuJo isn’t fancy. I might not produce quite as many historical essays in 2026 as last year. I’ll still be here to make friends, meet people I can relate to, and offer support. There are different phases in life, but we all grow together, and we have things to offer one another—strength to lend when neighbors need it.

So, my New Year’s Resolution is to let go of what I thought I needed in order to feel ‘legit.’ I resolve to sit, sip coffee, and practice my piano; I resolve to find the strength that is present in blessed silence.

I resolve to find God, myself, and the small, sweet tastes of joy that may be found around every corner.

I’ve read 26% of Piranesi, and am enjoying it just as much as the first time. It feels new, and the world building is enthralling.

Have you read it? What do you think about it?

Please drop a comment telling me what you are reading. I’d also love to hear what your resolutions are—what you plan to let go of, and what you intend to pick up.

We are doing this life thing together, all of us; a lesson learned by one is a lesson that benefits all.

Don’t be selfish! What have you learned in these first three days of 2026?

If you’ve been keeping up with my newsletter, you’ve seen me talking about my new project—The Tearoom: First Ladies. It’s going to be a series focusing on the wives of US Presidents.

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