REBOOT
Returning with some intention in the new year
After a bit of a hiatus, I’m back! By now, I imagine you’ve read at least 50 resolution posts or in / out lists. While it feels a bit self indulgent, I’m still going to ask the question - how about one more? I’m hoping this won’t disappoint.
One thing I know for sure is that 2026 needs to feel different. And by feel I mean more intuitive, more authentic, and more raw - yet somehow more harmonious. So here’s how I’m thinking about grounding myself this year. I held onto these for another 2 weeks to make sure they felt juuuust right. Goldilocks style.
Expand my points of discovery.
For too long, I’ve let my social media algorithm do the work of discovery for me. It’s efficient, yes—but also limiting, passive, and increasingly uninspired. I don’t want Meta to decide the boundaries of my curiosity.
During the holidays, we were gifted a few copies of Monocle, and something shifted as I flipped through its pages. I felt genuinely awake in my discovery again. It was a quiet reminder of the sheer volume of talented designers working across the world—and how much I’d been missing by staying within the algorithm’s frame.
In addition to returning to print, I’m craving a more intentional form of exploration at home: museum visits, wandering with purpose, and a long-overdue stop at the Eames House now that it’s reopened.
Create more than I consume.
When we were kids, in the pre–social media era, most of our time was spent creating. I remember choreographing dances, building forts in the woods, weaving boondoggle keychains to trade with friends, and drawing or painting for hours at my bedroom desk.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become increasingly aware that my balance of consumption to creation has shifted in the wrong direction. When work absorbs most of the day, it often leaves me feeling quietly unfulfilled—and, at times, disconnected from the person I am beneath the noise. Some recommendations that have helped me in the new year - a stop at Blick or Michael’s for some creative supplies, signing up for a local pottery class, discovering a new form of art (something like this), or even just letting go and letting lose with some “unstructured” movement.
Commit to the cadence.
Over the past six months, a friend and I have committed to seeing each other once a month, despite our increasingly full schedules. When we’re together, we plan the next date on the spot—making the reservation or securing tickets then and there, so it’s officially on the calendar.
That time becomes something we prioritize and protect. Even when travel requires us to shift things around, we treat it with the same seriousness as a board meeting. It feels deliberate. It feels special.
More of this in 2026, please.
Invest in the everyday.
I’ve always preferred to keep a largely germ-free home. After years of city living and public transit, I developed the habit of changing into clean clothes the moment I walk through the door. It brings peace of mind—and, frankly, it’s more comfortable.
The unintended consequence is that I’ve invested very little in what I wear at home, which means I don’t always feel like myself there. This year, I’m making more thoughtful choices about what I wear while sitting on the sofa or walking the dog. Not for anyone else—for me.
A few favorite investments include coordinating sweats (1 - size up if you want some extra comfort, 2 - true to size and this, 3 - because we know Chanel is making half-zips a thing in 2026, 4 - a good excuse to save $75 early this Q if you’re an Amex Platinum holder, 5 - I actually like the men’s version since it feels more classic), 6 - this chocolate set is what dreams are made of - top and bottom - so sad that they discontinued the Marina set - the nicest, thickest loungewear - here’s all that’s left; upgraded slippers (size up - especially if you wear cozy socks at home); and everyday sneakers from Dries - these have already increased in price, but this link still reflects old pricing.
Ask more questions; don’t pretend to know the answers.
As you get older, it becomes easier to rely on your own experience—to feel as though you’ve already been there and done that. This year, I want to resist that instinct and make a more conscious commitment to curiosity.
I want to speak with experts in their fields, better understand how things work, and continue learning in a way that feels real and ongoing. The coffees and lunches are already getting scheduled—and I couldn’t be more excited.
Lean into clean.
While I’ve long been an adopter of clean beauty and clean home products, there have been some categories that I’ve struggled to find something that works just as well as the not-so-clean incumbents. The best example of this has been deodorant. Up until I discovered AKT a few months ago, I had tried most clean deodorants and found that they either couldn’t survive a Barry’s class or they would cause some type of very painful irritation on my skin. I’m obsessed with AKT—truly can’t recommend it enough…even made the husband a convert. After Thunder is my favorite, more neutral scent and I also use Orange Grove and Hay Fever (unfortunately it’s currently sold out). If you want to channel tomato vibes a la Flamingo Estate / Loewe, then Halcyon Summer is perfect. Note that a little goes a long way.
If it doesn’t feel right, it’s ok to walk away sooner.
Sometimes we commit to things because they’re familiar, because they offer routine—but that doesn’t mean they’re right. Other times, we stay committed out of habit, hardwired to see things through. I do this sometimes with books and in other ways.
But it feels unnecessary to let made-up rules dictate our lives. Life is too short.
Set monthly / quarterly growth goals.
To be clear, these aren’t business goals; they’re personal ones. And by taking the time to really define them, it’s helping to holding myself accountable to each intention outlined above.
Cheers to the new year!
x
jz
Images | @b.g.mckay |
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