I set 15 goals in 2026, 3 for each of my behavioral values of creating, exploring, learning, moving, and serving. You can explore my 2026 goals here. “Celebrate healthy boundaries” is one of my three service-based goals this year. Creating healthy boundaries is essential, but I did not know how to set them or why…
Author: KaylieLongley
Exploring without Technology: Be a Tourist in your Town
Last Saturday, an anticipated 60-minute hike morphed into three hours. Having an unexpected day off, I went on a run that morning, did chores, and then considered thrifting. The sun still shining (thank you, Colorado!), I instead chose a new-to-me trail. Despite its proximity to my new neighborhood, I stumbled upon the space. With a…
Intersection: Identity and Community
Welcome to my first reflection on my word for 2026, intersection(s). My intention for setting intersection(s) for my word for the year is to see how my values and habits align, merge, and contradict. In so doing, I (hope to) embrace change, while owning my experiences. As such, I anticipate noodlin’ over questions. For example:…
Word for 2026: Intersection
Ah, January 1st, a rebirth. A return. That’s how intersection feels to me, a return to myself. Easy enough, right? I poured over dictionaries for this word, using my grid notebook to count out each letter, in the hope of finding just the right 10, 11, or 12-letter word/s. While exploring downtown Denver, I found…
Make New: Goals
Anyone’s who been around this little nook of the Internet knows I practice goal-setting, not resolutions. So I’m honoring that by making space for my goals! Concurrently, I am decorating my new place, so that currently looks like a string of goals, along with cards/gentle reminders to make it happen. Win for my mental and…
Staying Committed: Sola Mahfouz
Born in Kandahar, Afghanistan during the Taliban, Sola is my last pick for this monthly Staying Committed series. She was forced out of school. Condemned to home and an inevitable arranged marriage, Sola began educating herself, using Khan Academy. Sola managed to sneak into Pakistan to take the SAT. She escaped to the states to…
Open-Hearted: Decisions
December 10th is the last day for my series on open-hearted living. All 2025, I posted on the 10th of every month, exploring different letters, feelings, and expressions around “open-hearted”. Some lessons learned… I’ve developed stronger decision-making skills while staying grounded. Instead of pushing forward, I’ve learned there’s a comfort in stillness. An open heart…
Make New: Dress
Thanks to finally wearing a gifted fringe dress at a 20s-themed wedding, I now have a LBD – little black dress! I kept the dress, as is, for years, even taking it from WI to CO. Now that it’s finally hit the dance floor, I wanted more. Cutting the hem, shedding the fringe, it’s time…
Staying Committed: Jane
Aging gracefully means staying committed to yourself. Jane does just that, finding her calling in mid-age. Like Jane, my career’s taken many chapters, but I see myself as the protag in every single one. Life will change, but I can still be the driving force of goodness, courage, and light. Thank you, Jane, for reminding…
Open-Hearted: Earn
Productivity culture is insidious. It makes an appearance when I’m busy just for its own sake. Or when I took a sick day earlier this month, I felt guilty about it. Moreover, when I measure a day’s my worth by how much I got done that day, I am not embracing open-hearted living. That’s surviving….