I don't do New Year's Resolutions, as I know the minute I make anything a MUST-do, I end up losing steam and my anxiety steps in to guilt me. Mercilessly.
I prefer intentions. Something that is not all-or-nothing, but rather goal-setting. Attainable goals, that I actually enjoy meeting.
So without further ado, here are my intentions for 2026.
Consistency in All Things Fitness
I can go a bit hot-and-cold with my fitness regime, especially as life gets stressful. December was almost completely a bust with gym-going and running, because the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter Break were consumed with planning for my school's annual winter performances. As the Music teacher, it's my job to make sure things go smoothly, and it is a lot of work. Good work; work I enjoy. But still, a lot of work.
Anywho, consistency. I'm making a plan that doesn't dictate when I go to the gym, when I run, but rather, what kind of workouts I should aim to get each week. Three gym visits (one for upper body, one for lower, one for some full-body HIIT), at least two runs, at least two spin workouts here at home. So far, it's working. Having flexibility really helps when I find that yesterday's Leg Day means running is off the table today.
Career Growth
I mean, this is a given. I'm always looking to grow in teaching, as all good teachers are. This year, however, I took on a new role that has been exciting and a bit terrifying for Ye Olde Impostore Syndrome: I am a mentor to three young teachers who are working on clearing their credentials.
I never would have thought to do this, until my work friend J asked if I'd ever thought about it. "No one thinks I'd be capable of that."
I received a "look" from her. "Why not? You're an amazing teacher, and you work with all of the grade levels here at our school. You've taught 5th grade--even though it was just a trimester. You know so much about pedagogy for so many different age groups."
When she said that, something clicked. Just because I'm not a classroom teacher, and not an expert in the latest reading and math curriculums, does not mean I don't understand teaching, and how children learn.
Long story short: I went for it. I'm mentoring three amazing ladies (a TK and two 2nd grade teachers) in my district, and I'm enjoying our weekly meetings and helping them find solutions and see different perspectives. All of them are fabulous teachers, and I'm able to help them find resources, and sometimes to view a problem they may be trying to solve from a different perspective.
Best of all, I'm learning from them, too. That's the best part about having a teaching community.
Be Intentional
This is broad, and for good reason. I have, over the last decade or two, made a point of being more intentional in my recycling and consuming--my unemployment era helped a lot with the consuming part. Ten years ago, being more intentional in saving allowed me to buy Casa Meg. Yes, ten years. I know, right?
I find myself opening my 48th year on earth with two very healthy savings accounts (one a higher interest rate through USAA, and the other the standard low-interest attached to my checking account). My CALSTRS retirement is growing, as is my 403b plan.
I drive a 10-year-old car--paid off, in good shape, excellent fuel economy--and live in a home that was very, very affordable. (Side note: I realize now that even in 2016, finding a 2bed/2bath condo for $140k was incredible.)
All this is to remind myself that being intentional helps get me the good stuff--a comfortable home, trips all over the world (three continents down, four to go, baby!!), and peace of mind in my future. It also pays for vet bills. And cat sitters for my travels.
Keep Those Friendships Flourishing
I have a wonderful circle of friends, starting with Sarah and Summer, my Marigolds at work, and some new ladies I've met through Sarah more recently that all seem to have a similar outlook on life. I'm in a Bunco group (work ladies), and a long-running book club.
And yet, I can sometimes still find myself locking up in my Bat Cave. Winter Break was especially this way in some regards. I'm working to find a balance between work, where I'm always in "go" mode, and always fielding a lot of "Ms. Cooper! Ms. Cooper! Ms. Cooper!!!" and family (weekly lunch date with my dear Dad), friends (Marigold Bunco, Goldilocks Book Club, various social outings with one and all), and, you know, locking myself into my cave where it's quiet and peaceful and there are no children shouting at me, "MS. COOPER, HE LOOKED AT MEEE!!" (If you are a teacher or parent, I know you know. Like, you know.)
I absolutely do need my time at home to recharge and reflect. But I also need nights like Bitchmas, where we exchanged inappropriate wearable gifts, played Cards Against Humanity, and laughed 'til we cried. Dress code? Pajamas.
I haven't really put a lot of huge thought into these. It's more or less the same as every year. Work out. Be good at your job. Earn some money, save some money, have friends and whatnot. Still, it's good to sit down and assess every once in a while...and as for why my non-blogging ass is writing a post about all this after only writing two posts in 2025?
Well, rediscovering writing as a creative outlet is one more of my intentions for this year. 😏
