Welcome to 2026
Welcome, 2026
There’s something about the beginning of a new year that always feels like a quiet inhale before the work begins again.
Not a dramatic reset.
Not a reinvention.
Just a pause long enough to notice where I am… and where I’m gently heading.
Most people begin a new year by making hard intentions or firm resolutions. I discovered a few years ago that this approach doesn’t really work for me. Instead, I’ve learned that it’s better—for my mind, my heart, and my creativity—to start with gratitude and reflection. To look back at what the past year taught me, acknowledge what I did well, and notice the things I truly enjoyed.
Rather than vowing to change everything, I choose to make progress.
I like to pick and choose the areas where I felt most alive, most grounded, most myself, and then make an effort to grow there. Slow growth. Honest growth. The kind that actually sticks.
As I step into 2026, my main focus is unconditional love. I truly believe this is the core message of the Bible and our deeper purpose here on earth. Forgiving those who have trespassed against you is one of the hardest things to do, but learning to truly forgive—to find real love in your heart for others and for yourself—has been one of the most freeing experiences of my life.
Forgiveness frees the soul.
It loosens anxiety.
It chases away fear.
And from that place of freedom, creativity flows more easily.
This year, I will continue to create and put my artwork out into the world with humility and openness—understanding that I still have so much to learn. I want to keep experimenting, trying new things, and allowing curiosity to guide me. Through experimentation, I’m discovering what I’m genuinely happy doing, not just what I think I should be doing.
That same mindset is shaping how I approach my health and daily habits. Instead of focusing on the things I “shouldn’t” have, I’m choosing to focus on the things I should have more of. I’m not fixating on cutting sugar from my diet; I’m focusing on drinking more herbal teas, getting more sunlight, and spending time outside. I’ve learned that when I nourish myself with the right things, my cravings naturally shift.
And when I do indulge? I’ll do so with pleasure, without guilt—then gently turn my focus back to what makes me feel well and whole.
You’ll see more of this philosophy reflected here in 2026:
More art in progress, not just finished pieces
More journaling, collage, and layered storytelling
More behind-the-scenes moments—what’s working, what’s evolving, what I’m learning along the way
And more reminders that creativity doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful
This space has always been about process as much as product. About documenting the journey, not just displaying the results. In 2026, I want to lean into that even more—creating from what’s real, not what’s ideal.
If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for staying.
If you’re new, I’m really glad you found your way here.
Here’s to a year of progress, forgiveness, curiosity, sunlight, steady hands, and art that tells a story—layer by layer.
Welcome to 2026 🤍
Let’s make something meaningful.
— Christine
Darlyssa Designs
