Issue 03: Easing into the New Year
A slow January, a few good books, and some thoughts on intention.
The end of 2025 was a bit of a whirlwind for this chronically ill girl. For the first time in years, I did all the things. Granted, my version of “all the things” probably wouldn’t register as much to most people, but for me it meant no cancellations and no bowing out early.
I owe that stretch of momentum to a new MCAS medication protocol. There are pros and cons to it, with one con being the fact that a crash did hit, albeit delayed, similar to Cinderella’s carriage turning into a pumpkin at midnight.
I spent the first week of the new year feeling the deepest fatigue, plus some POTS symptoms in overdrive. I chose to lean into it by luxuriating in bed & bath activities (i.e., Stranger Things and books!). Here are some of the reads from my slow ease into 2026.
1. Remain: A Supernatural Love Story by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan
My grandma adores Nicholas Sparks, so I got her a copy of his new book for her birthday a couple of months ago. His latest is a collaboration with plot twist maestro M. Night Shyamalan, which piqued my curiosity and landed a copy in my home as well.
2. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
I’ve been promising my fiancé that I would start this series so we could discuss. He’s on book 4, so I have some catching up to do. Very enjoyable so far.
3. Finding Me by Viola Davis
I was 100% in after the very first line!
4. The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
This is my absolute favorite horror author, and her latest release did not disappoint.
5. Mirage City by Lev AC Rosen
The Evander Mills Mystery series is one of my favorites. His 4th installment takes us to vintage Los Angeles, which is one of my favorite motifs.
6. The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
This is the current pick from the Inklings book club. I’m about a quarter of the way through and am on the edge of my seat! So vibey. My favorite quote so far is “A house is a precious thing.” Indeed, it is.
I used to love resolution culture. It felt empowering to grab a blank notebook and list a bunch of ambitions, even while knowing that the chances of actually fulfilling them were fairly slim. It just felt good to turn a hopeful thought tangible by scrawling it in ink. And there was an added bonus of feeling like we were all in it together, like we’re on a mission of reinvention.
The problem with resolutions is that society loves to use them as moral markers. Success equals virtue; failure equals personal flaw. It’s a rigid framework that leaves little room for life to interrupt, change pace, or veer off course, which it almost always does.
A few years back, I shifted to listing intentions rather than resolutions. There’s a connotation of flexibility in the word. Intentions are looser and less punitive. It’s about giving attention to something important without focusing on the end result. Some things happen. Others don’t. Either way, the attention given to them still matters.
Lately, I’m in a season where I like the direction I’m moving in and feel no need for a hard reset. Instead, I want a joyful continuation of the path I’ve found myself on. It’s creative and refreshing, and I don’t see how I could explore it if I simply resolved to check boxes.
How do you navigate resolutions?
1. Los Angeles is having Santa Ana winds in the winter! Usually, Santa Ana winds arrive late in the summer and drag a spooky heat through the city. This week, we’re getting fierce winds that feel cool and silky.
2. I discovered a new podcast, anyhow, anyway, by Summer England. It’s cozy and bookish, but with smut-enthusiasm. You just have to listen!
3. My fiancé’s new company, AEO Registry, got its first client which just so happens to be our favorite restaurant (Al Noor, once featured on The Food Network, which I’ve been frequenting since the 1900s).
4. After losing my painting mojo during my great MCAS crash, I finally got my groove back and painted a line portrait and a new piece for my Kindred Creatures collection. I was really starting to worry that my abilities were a flash in the pan and all was lost. Phew!
5. I found the perfect painting sweater! My studio is actually an add-on sunroom that isn’t exactly insulated, so I freeze during winter—especially at night. This Simply Vera mockneck sweater is tightly woven and so warm and cozy.
During the holiday season, I discovered baker Chelsey White through her “Cookies Worthy of Your Christmas Cookie Box” series on Instagram. I saved several of her recipes, but the one I was most excited by (partially because of the limited ingredients) was her Brown Butter Sugar Cookies.
They take patience because there are two rounds of chilling, but I think they’re worth it. Also, I feel zero shame in admitting that the dough is better than the cookies and I ate accordingly.
I intend to publish later this year so I’ve been busy plotting. I’m simultaneously working on a cozy mystery series and something I’m not quite sure how to categorize yet.
The latter is a book that I’ve been haunted by for decades. I never quite knew how to plot it, until last year when I was listening to a playlist and the cast of characters revealed themselves with the swelling of music.
It was one of the most incredible things I’ve experienced, so similar to falling in love.
I can’t wait to see where these characters go!
As you can see, this is shaping up to be a very creative year here! I’m focused on feeding my soul and soothing my nervous system along the way. I hope this inspires you to think about the magic you want to weave into your 2026.
Stay shiny!
Jen