First Week of 2026

Hey y'all!

It's been almost two weeks in the new year and I've see so many positive changes in my life lately from the simple goals I've been setting, which I feel have really set the tone for my life this year.

This year, I've managed to read a little every day! Between audiobooks at work and while I clean and reading a book instead of scrolling on my phone during lunch or before bed, I've noticed not only do I feel smarter and more knowledgeable, I also feel relaxed and accomplished instead of just feeling like I wasted my day. I've never been an audiobook person, but I've noticed I have an easier time with non-fiction and memoirs in that format more than things like fantasy or sci-fi.  It also reduces my need to scroll mindlessly since I don't want to be distracted during reading. 

My phone screen time has gone waaaaay down lately as well due to this. I'm ashamed to say that before the new year, I'd easily have 11 hours of screen time a day at least. WITH A FULL TIME JOB! This past week my screen time average was a little under 2 hours! Seeing that shift has motivated me to continue. 

I've began taking the time after work to try and do at least one productive thing around the house or something I've been putting off. I've decluttered my office, redid one of my bookshelves, deep cleaned my bathroom and my computer desk, and opened up packages that I've had sitting here forever. Things that I just "HAD TO HAVE" were just sitting in bags or on my couch and it's shown me a lot about my impulse buying and shopping. I've had little social media (No twitter, facebook, instagram, or tiktok) for over a year now and the amount of spending I was doing just because of being swayed by social media was insane. Not only the "trendy" stuff, but even ads for McDonalds or pizza would make me doordash a ton or feel fomo and make me leave the house to go shopping just for the dopamine. 

It turns out, I have a pretty cool home I live in, I have so much stuff to play and watch and read and listen to that I already own or already pay for and I have a cute cat and an amazing fiance who are all I really need. I've been calling my family more and actually staying present in the conversation instead of scrolling through shorts while I talk and I can feel my conversations holding more meaning.

Seeing this new chapter in my life start so well, I've really been inspired to keep this momentum going.

How has your year been going? Let's chat about it!

Always, Raineedayze