OK. Raise your hand if you’re exhausted.
(My hands are up. Both of them. Swinging.)
I had a great Christmas week. My goal was to be present — and I really was. My sister flew in with her family to surprise everyone and, at the last minute, requested a Thanksgiving meal. And she got it.
There was a lot of cooking on the front end, followed by good, solid bonding time on the back end. The kind that fills you up in ways food can’t.
But today — on the eve of the new year — I’d really like to sleep. Ugh. That’s not happening, though. Instead, I’m getting my butt in gear and prepping for a night with family. I’m genuinely looking forward to it, but I’m also making myself a very clear promise: New Year’s Day is not for cleaning, working, or cooking. It’s for me. ME. ME. ME.
Fast forward — and yes, New Year’s Day turned out to be mostly me. Me doing laundry. Me cleaning up. And finally, I sit down to read.
Now, did I make any New Year’s resolutions? Nope. I opted instead for a prayer that 2026 brings good health, success, and joy. I also bought myself a five-year, one-line-a-day journal. This should be interesting. I’m excited — and curious — to see what future me will write down.
I’ve been thinking about how much nicer it feels to enter a new year hopeful rather than cynical. We all need hope, especially when the world around us can feel like a nonstop barrage of bad news. If we give in entirely to that sense of dread, what’s left?
So this year, I’m determined to look forward and focus on what I can do to make things better in my own little corner. One of those things: I want to host my first Not Done Yet workshop by February. It feels fun and a little scary — which usually means it’s the right thing. I’ve wanted to do this for a while, and I’m excited. You’ll hear more as we get closer.
That’s a lot. At least it feels like a lot — and it’s only four days into 2026.
Still, it’s going to be a good year. I can feel it.
Until later this week (and sorry for skipping my column — it’s the holidays, and I needed that pause). Take care.
— Rindraty is not done yet
6 Gems for the Week
1. Great binge watch:
It’s not technically a series, but if you like detective stories with a lot of humor, check out the Knives Out movies. A couple are on Netflix, and the first in the series is on Prime.
2. Get a one-line-a-day journal.
Why not? It’s low pressure — just one sentence before bed. They’re five-year journals, and over time, you get to discover yourself.
3. Return the things you don’t need.
I’m an impulse buyer, but I’ve gotten much better at returning things I know I won’t use. Otherwise, it just turns into clutter.
4. Schedule donation pickups.
If clutter is piling up, look for organizations that will come to you. It’s a great way to purge and support food banks, clothing banks, and community orgs — especially helpful in winter for coats and blankets in good condition.
5. Protect one full day.
Claim a day — or even half a day — where you don’t produce, clean, or fix anything. Rest counts. Quiet counts.
6. Choose hope on purpose.
Not the loud, forced kind — just the steady decision to believe something good can still happen. Sometimes that choice is the bravest thing you do all week.