2026 Goals

2026 is the year of the ~fire horse~. Numerology naysayers? Zodiac lovers? Whether you appreciate the Chinese New Year or not, this year feels very personal. To some, 2026 also is represented by number 10, my favorite number! (That’s because 2 + 0 + 2 + 6 = 10, and therefore it’s a new cycle, of transformation.)

I feel so fortunate that my transformation of co-creating the life I want to lead started last year. 2025 was just the beginning of this latest chapter. Last year, I earned a master’s degree and landed a change in career in librarianship/information. My partner and I moved in together, netting a new address. My blessed ol’ Cruise was turned in for a new car, an EV.

Through this, my relationship to God, and overall health, have shifted. God is somehow bigger than my imagination. In 2025, I slowed down on some of my goals, frankly downsizing some. But I am also super proud to no longer drink, go to church regularly, actually read for fun, and go to the gym.

I am grateful for these changes, as well as for what’s stayed the same. I am still hustlin’ and bustlin’ with energy for life. Now with gratitude and ambition, it’s time to get going on 2026 goals. I am actively co-creating my reality with God.

These goals are values-driven, in typical Kaylie fashion. My 2026 goals also acknowledge overlap: I am inching closer to my big dreams of writing a book and working in public media. While still working full-time. Some goals are the same, year over year. Perhaps that’s to be expected.

Such a transformation of physical updates, along with still deepening values, led to a natural pick for my word for the year: Intersection. I’ll be writing about my word for the year on the 10th of every month. I’m also bringing back goals progress reports, on the 30th of every month. The 20th will share something new, lessons from my values and goals intersecting (get it?).

Creative Goals:
1. Finish book draft
2. Start podcasting on ways of knowing (currently ways of knowing grief)
3. Slam poetry 4 times

Exploring Goals:
1. Travel to 3 states (I'm thinking RI for a local history conference and a road trip)
2. Be a tourist in my state - climb a 14er. Ski. Bop around town
3. Support 3 museums - archiving? Consulting?

Learning Goals:
1. Start another degree, such as public health/urban planning
2. Build ReStory, including its LLC status, networking, and services
3. Practice Spanish and ASL daily

Moving Goals:
1. Join a modern dance team
2. Run a marathon!
3. Lift twice/run twice a week

Serving Goals:
1. Join spiritual committees, like stewardship at St. Mark's
2. Volunteer monthly
3. Celebrate healthy boundaries

Over to you! Let’s hear your goals (and word/s for the year) in the comments!