Well, it’s official. Happy New Year! And welcome 2026…✨
At the end of 2024, I sat with my Mum, looking at what was to come… and had a premonition that ’25 would not be my year.
I definitely did not want to return to uni. Going back to Leeds for nearly another whole year to complete a degree that I was already struggling with? Leaving her again? No thank you…
There was also the overarching thought of “What if I don’t graduate? What if I go back and struggle through the next few months, only to come out with nothing?”
But maybe an even scarier thought: “What if I do graduate?” What the hell do I do then? Will I get a job? How will I effectively fill my days? Will I move back and be a burden on my family again? Will I literally have no money, leave my friends, and overall have NO purpose in life?
Yes, I am a chronic over-thinker, and this was only the start of the year… Shit! I knew 2025 was gonna be rough.
And honestly? I was right.
Of course there were loads of great times throughout… Turning 21, completing four half marathons, graduating and securing a job (lol one less thing to panic about), going on holiday to both London and Krakow, starting my blog and moving back home to my family (who I do absolutely adore). And although I wont be forgetting these great parts – it’s definitely true. This was not my year.
I struggled, I worried, and a lot of the time… I found myself wishing the time away.
But not this time. Oh no.
This year, I am sitting with my Mum and looking at all the things I am GOING to achieve in 2026. I am starting the year looking forward to what is to come, and instead, committing myself to make 2026: AMBER’S YEAR🎉
I’m tired of thinking tomorrow will be better, or I’ll do that thing later. And although I am of course aware that not everyday of our lives are amazing – I am actually going to put effort into just being happy from now on.
I have my health, my friends and family, and am therefore putting my foot down and making an executive decision that I need to make the most of everything I have got. I need to make the most of the opportunities that I have worked so hard to get for myself, and I will make the most of the time that I have!
So, no ‘New Years’ Resolutions’ for me this year… Instead I am coming up with 12 goals and targets that I am going to do – a checklist if you will – to make 2026: The year of Amber🎉
1. Run my Marathon🏃🏻♀️
It’s no secret to this blog that one of my most anticipated moments of 2026 is running Rome Marathon 2026!
After completing a few halves this year – I have taken the leap and booked my spot for the end of March – so my big aim of the year is to successfully complete it.
I’m not focussing on a certain time – I just want to embrace the moment, the scenery, the entire day, and enjoy it!
2. Travel to four foreign countries🌍
A natural follow-on to this aim: this year I hope to visit four different countries.
Rome will of course be the first, and then hopefully three more to follow.
I love travelling. Taking in new culture, new experiences, and overall just seeing somewhere different – so what’s a better way to make myself happy this year than aiming to get out and see a little more of the world?
Maybe even a cruise is on the cards… They are my absolute favourite kind of holiday after all…🛳️
3. Paris 2026🥖
Now, if you know me, you know that I love Paris!!
And I have been banging on and on about going for years.
(Sorry to all my friends and family who are sick of it by now😂)
I have this silly, little dream of standing in front of the Eiffel Tower with a coffee in one hand and a warm croissant in the other and just feeling completely… at peace.
This year enough is enough. No more talking it – this year I am going!
(country number 2 sorted.)
4. Get back into reading📖
As an English Literature student, it is no shock that we had to read a lot at uni. And I must admit that because of this, I lost the love for it. After a long day of copious (and rather challenging) ‘reading’ – the last thing I wanted to do was go home and pick up another one. It’s sad to say it, but what I once loved became more of a chore than a pleasure.
However, now that I have finished my degree, it is time to start again.
I absolutely loved it before – finding that diving into a good story was an outlet and escape for me – so it is definitely something I want to get straight back into now that I have finished.
I’ll be heading to The Works very soon to pick up my next read!
5. Another year sober🍸
Don’t get me wrong – there is absolutely nothing wrong with drinking alcohol – but when I started my weight loss journey, it was something that I did choose to give up.
I was more concerned about eating my calories, than drinking them when I was losing fat – so it was a simple removal for me.
And, crazy, not only did it help me in this process, but I also found that alcohol was apparently always a big trigger for my IBS. Every time I have even a small drop, I have the most agonising stomach cramps that you can imagine. To the point that they actually immobilise me – which is why I will be continuing my sobriety throughout 2026.
Although, I have actually found that the older generation are slightly more judgemental to people our age when we choose not to drink – I am choosing to not let anyone’s opinions bother me – and instead am proud to make this decision again.
Not only do I know that this will be a good choice for my physical and mental health, but I am also confident that I will still be the life and soul of any party – whether that be a bottle of vodka deep, or not!😂
6. Get my Drivers’ License🚗
This one is a little touchy for me.
When I finished uni, I started my driving lessons – knowing the importance of the freedom it would give me – and I instantly really enjoyed it. I was confident and (hate to brag) actually really good at it!
Annoyingly, there was a crazy long back log for tests – meaning that I couldn’t get mine booked until the end of November! But never mind… I learnt to drive and was ready – and then, out of the blue, actually got a CANCELLATION! I was so excited.🥳
And it went so well – until 3 minutes before finishing.
Yes, some temporary traffic lights had been put on the hill going back into the test centre which – of course – were red as I was approaching. Temporary lights, may I add, that had only been put there a couple of days before the blummin test. And you guessed it – I stalled.
It cost me my entire test. A test where the instructor actually complimented my parallel park for being so good… With only three minors, it’s fair to say that I was devastated.
And it wasn’t even so much the fact that I had (only just) failed, but actually that I now have to wait another six months for another test!!
STUPID.
Being said, my next test is now booked for the start of February (after snatching up another cancellation as soon as it came through), and I am now crossing absolutely everything that I pass – and that there are no stupid temporary roadworks!
I am so so desperate to be able to drive my beautiful Phil-up-pa🚗
7. Keep building my blog and social media✨
One good thing of 2025, of course, has been creating and building my blog and socials – and I am super excited to continue this into 2026.
I have really enjoyed writing for myself again – about all the things that I am passionate about – so I look forward to continuing this in the New Year, and writing about all my favourite things.
8. Finding a new job💡
It’s true – I was lucky enough to land a graduate job when I finished uni, and I am really glad to have had some workplace experience from it. However, I quickly realised… the job was wrong for me.
What I was being told to do, the environment I was in, the overtime I was doing, the hours I was made to feel guilty about not working in, and so much more – I unfortunately had to leave at the end of 2025.
It was not worth my mental health at all, or honestly the strain that it was putting on my relationships.
There is a big stigma around ‘grad roles’ – as with them being so hard to get, we are pushed into believing that once we do, that’s it. You can never leave! But honestly? If something is not quite right… This is the exact time to get out and try something new.
This is the time to put yourself first after working so hard at university, and finding something that you deserve.
So this year – I am moving on to bigger and better things! This year I am aiming to find something that has a nice, supportive environment, but also that actually fulfils me. No one enjoys every single day of their job, but I am looking forward to finding success and purpose somewhere that really appreciates me.
9. Try and join a club👩🏻🤝👩🏼
I keep asking “where do people find people these days?”. Whether it be friends or a partner – it is honestly impossible in my generation to ‘organically’ meet people, in my experience.
So, as per my Dad’s frequent suggestion, this year I am going to push myself to join a club/group or test out a couple – to expand my network of people.
I’m not sure what or where or with who yet, but I am hoping to make some new friends and meet some more interesting people in 2026.
10. Learn to sometimes say “no”…👎🏼
I have found that as an empathetic person (to my core), putting someone above myself is a common occurrence in my life.
But trying to make everyone else feel better… can sometimes mean putting yourself down. Other people’s negativity can sometimes dim your light.
So although there are always going to be things you don’t want to do in life, and times that you must say yes – even when you don’t want to – this year I am going to try and consider my own feelings first, my own thoughts and opinions… and then give my answer.
11. Expand my wardrobe👢
This is one I have used many times in the New Year… I want to grow and better my style now.
I see all the trendy and beautiful clothes and fashions online, and always think one day… but then seem to revert straight back to jeans or joggers and a jumper. Well not this time.
Of course I want to stress that I will most of the time still be wearing my comfort pieces: jeans, joggers, t-shirts, jumpers and gym clothes… however, I am also going to try and buy a few pieces out of my comfort zone this year that I will wear when I go out.
12. General Maintenance💆🏻♀️
And for my final aim of the year, it is a simple maintenance one. This year I hope to keep up my health, wellbeing and stay on top of an overall balanced lifestyle.
I am going to consciously keep eating well, drinking more water, continuing a good skin care regime, and overall be happy and healthy.
What’s better than ending on this simple cliche target for a new year?
So, there we have it. My 2026 aims and targets wrapped.
After a tough one, I really do want this year to be my best yet! I cannot wait to grow both personally and professionally and see where life will take me in the next year.
What are your goals/resolutions for 2026? Are you looking forward to the coming months?
Everyone is welcome to my blog and as I share my life, loves and experiences… I look forward to connecting with new people, and learning about what they are up to!
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