Happy New Year, Beautiful People!!! This 2026 look ahead feels especially meaningful. I hope that you had a great holiday and that the start of this year is treating you as kindly as possible. I know that the world events have left a lot of us feeling uncertain and down, but if anything, please remember to prioritize your joy. For me, that looked like starting this year in Nigeria surrounded by family. It was the perfect start to the year and it gave me the clarity I needed to set the tone for the year. Curious to see what I’m planning for 2026? Keep reading.
2025: Building Momentum
Last year, my word for 2025 was Momentum and I definitely did that. 2025 had so many highs but there were a lot of low, unexpected moments that really challenged me to grow in ways that I couldn’t have imagined. I spent the last few weeks of 2025 and the first couple weeks of 2026 resting, reflecting and planning how I want 2026 to go (you can read more about this process on my substack). One of the biggest takeaways from last year is that I truly have no problem executing. I am good at taking whatever work is in front of me and seeing it through to completion. For 2026, however, I want to be a little more refined. I want to be more intentional about the projects I take on, the energy I put out, and the impact I create. This year is about quality over quantity. Doing less, but doing it better. As I move into this 2026 look ahead, I’m less focused on doing more and more focused on doing what matters better.
Word for 2026: Commitment
For this 2026 look ahead, my word is commitment. Not just a commitment to the things I say I want to accomplish but a commitment to being the best version of myself with or without the accolades. It’s important to me in this year that I’m not just focused on the work that people recognize, but I’m also focused on the work that may go unnoticed. I’m committing to showing up consistently. Not just when it’s convenient, but especially when it’s hard. I’m committing to my health, my relationships, and the quiet, behind-the-scenes work that builds a sustainable life and business. And most importantly, I’m committing to trusting the process, even when the results aren’t immediate. The three areas where I plan on committing the most amount of effort are:
- Finances
- Creativity
- Productivity
- Learning
Finances
There are a lot of big goals I want to hit within the next decade that require me to really buckle down and be intentional about where I spend my money. This was a goal of mine last year, but I lacked the intentionality behind it. I’ve created a plan for this year that will allow me to hit my financial goals this year without having to sacrifice too much. I’m implementing a monthly budget review system to track my spending habits and identify areas where I can be more mindful. I also have specific savings and investment goals that I will be actively working towards.
Beyond just saving, I want to educate myself more on other investment opportunities that align with my long-term vision that I hope to be making in the next 3-5 years. I finally set up Monarch Money which I will be using to keep track of my monthly spending, and take a harder look at where it is I need to cut back. I am committing to setting myself up for my long-term financial goals and ventures and I’m looking forward to committing to this plan. I’m also committing to learning more about passive income streams and exploring ways to diversify my revenue beyond client work. This means being smarter about pricing my services, saying no to projects that don’t align with my financial goals, and investing in resources that will help me build sustainable wealth.
Creativity
This year is going to be a big year for me creatively! I’m excited to write and create more this year and really see where it leads. Anytime I sit behind my laptop and write, I find such immense joy and peace. I’ve been really excited about posting on TikTok (sorry Instagram) and I’m excited to continue growing my community there. While writing does require a bit of patience, I’m committing to building my writing habit and allowing newer opportunities to flow and come my way and really share my thoughts and perspectives within the productivity, wellness, and bookish. For me, that looks like committing to growing and monetizing on my:
- Blog
- SubStack, (subscribe to Margin Notes).
- TikTok
There are also other areas that I want to continue to grow and expand creatively. I want this year to be another year where I check off something that I’ve had on my list for a really long time, learning how to DJ and drawing on Procreate. I have a Procreate course that I’m excited to dive into and I have a friend who is going to be teaching me how to DJ! Being able to start as a beginner on something new is going to be so cool and exciting and I’m especially excited because these are things that I plan on just keeping for myself and not monetizing. I’m excited to see how these new creative endeavors influence and impact other areas of my life.
Productivity
This area is probably the one least visible to others, yet it’s the most important. In one of my past SubStack articles, I shared how I used to be very productive but lacked purpose. I was doing a lot, but I wasn’t clear on why I was doing it. Now, I have a clearer picture of what I’m being productive for, and that clarity has given me a deeper sense of purpose and understanding of myself. Here are a few goals/objectives that I’m committing to within this space:
- Waking up at 5:30am
- Stop hitting the snooze button
- Less doom scrolling on my phone
- Tracking everything in Notion
I feel confident that these commitments will shape how I expand creatively and move into other ventures in my life, without overextending myself. By reclaiming time I used to waste, I can create more room for rest that actually feels restorative, not avoidant. Rest that leaves less space for procrastination and supports the person I’m becoming when no one is watching.
I’m also committing to being more intentional with my energy. Saying no to what doesn’t align with my goals, and yes to what truly moves the needle forward. This year is about discernment, honoring my boundaries, and holding myself to my own standards. Who knows what I’ll accomplish this year.
Learning
This is an inevitable area of my life but I’m looking forward to continue learning and applying what I’ve learned to do in various aspects of my life. One thing I really want to do is use my learning to take initiative and start carving a lane for myself in different areas of my career. I also want to invest more in my current hobbies so that I can continue to grow in those areas. This year I’m committing to:
- Working on three hack projects at work
- Taking French lessons
- Playing more tennis
- Teaching yoga
Each of these specific commitments align to some long-term and broader goals that I have for myself while also making sure I leave room for socializing and play. Making learning a priority is going to be pivotal in how I show up, how I make an impact, and how I build for the future.
Final Thoughts
This 2026 look ahead is all about intentional commitment. It’s about showing up for myself in ways that create lasting change, not just temporary momentum. I’m excited to build on the foundation I created last year and focus on depth over breadth. If you’re also setting intentions for the year, I’d love to hear what you’re committing to drop a comment below or let me know over on my most recent SubStack article.
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