Lots of people make goals for the new year. The new year feels like a fresh start, to help you on your way to becoming the person that you aspire to be. I’ve only created one new year post for Back to Stable Hill, all the way back in 2021. Looking back, my three resolutions (not burning down my rental home, learning something new, and strengthening my prayer life), mostly came true. I did not burn down the West Virginia rental home, although I desperately wanted to after learning that cockroaches are very hard to kill, and you better believe I prayed (my imagination would run wild at night with all the critters that lived in that rental with me). 

This year, I wanted to recap some accomplishments of 2025, and then create three goals for 2026. 

Even though the goals may have changed from what I thought they would be in January 2025, even if life went sideways and it seemed like nothing went right, there are always going to be accomplishments, and it’s good to acknowledge them. 

1. Restarting Back to Stable Hill

I am very glad I started posting again with Back to Stable Hill. It gives me an outlet to practice my writing, share my opinions (although, let’s be real, they really don’t matter in the grand scheme of things), and do my best to share the Gospel to those that this blog reaches. I was reminded this year how much I love writing, and I’m working on building my audience back to what it was before I dropped off the face of the earth in 2021. 

2. Expanding my teaching portfolio

This year, I greatly expanded my teaching portfolio. I adjuncted for two different universities (with one of those positions still continuing), expanded into high school level biology for homeschoolers, started teaching violin (gained another student starting in 2026), and even restarted my shotgun teaching experience over summer. I’ve worked with kids of all ages this year teaching some version of science (whether for a field day or a short program), and I have really enjoyed the experiences I have gained this year. I’ve learned a lot about teaching, and I’ve had quite a few great mentors as I’ve started this journey, and I hope I keep getting these experiences in 2026. 

3. Accepted into graduate school (again)

After a couple of applications, I was (again) accepted into a Ph.D. program. While I initially struggled with doubts as to why I was even bothering to try again after dropping out already (and leaving with a Masters), the state of the world reminded me why I was getting my Ph.D. There will be a more in-depth post on that, probably later this month. I also love teaching at the college level, so there is that career path, as well. I did very well in my first semester, although at times I felt very overwhelmed. My first semester ended in a 4.0 GPA. While I know this GPA will not continue to be so high as I get further in, it was a very good encouragement as I started – now I just have to get my dissertation proposal to work out – but that’s a problem for 2026 🙂 

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I’ve learned that specific goals (like going to the gym) do not work for me, although I should get back into running (and I will once the weather is warmer). So, this year, I came up with three, more broad goals. Goals that I think will help me grow and learn to enjoy life – to watch it as it goes by and not suddenly be surprised when the month is over and it seems like it just started. 

1. Slow down

There were quite a few times in 2025 where I was doing so much, I would feel overwhelmed and like I never had time to rest. This year, I want to get better at learning to say no to things that will not get me towards where I want to be or that I feel pressured into but don’t really have time for. Slowing down will also look like decluttering. I’ve learned that stuff stresses me out, messes make me feel tense, and it will be quite a long process. But decluttering and intentional purchases will help me feel less stressed, and save money. Slowing down will also include learning how to do old-fashioned skills. I still love to crochet, knit, and waterbath can, and I would like to learn pressure canning this year, too. Gardening will be back on the list for spring and summer, and I really need to dive back into photography. I need to get back into my hobbies, which will help me slow down and not waste the free time that I do have scrolling online. I just need to get out of the routine of coming home from work and watching tv or scrolling online my phone until I go to bed.

2. Become involved

This may seem counter-inutitive, given my first goal, but just because I am working on slowing down doesn’t mean I should go back to staying at home and not being involved in my community. There will be things that I did in 2025 that I will not continue in 2026. Volunteering with 4-H, homeschool groups, and other events will be reduced and narrowed down to what I really enjoy doing, but I notice that I feel better when I am involved in my community – as long as I make sure I can still say no if it doesn’t fit in my schedule. 

3. Devote time to spend with God daily

I will admit that I am not good at this, at all. This year, I am going to spend time with God daily, probably before I go to work every day, I’ll just get up a bit earlier. I think this year, to help hold myself accountable, I’ll be using my Wednesday posts to recap what I’ve studied/learned over that week and share with you guys. As always, you’re welcome to share what you’ve studied in the comments each week. I will see how this goes, and it can always be adjusted along the way. 

What were some of your accomplishments for 2025? What are some of your goals for 2026? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

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