I don't think I've ever mentally prepared for a year the way I did for 2026. Not because of my resolutions or goals for the year, but because this year will usher in my fourth decade on this earth and I've been thinking a lot about what I want this decade to look like.
"My forties" is hard to plan for, so of course, I'm looking at this year as a time to set a foundation of renewed purpose, joy, relationships, and health.
This year certainly had the potential to be a dumpster fire, and at the macro level, it really was. But in January, Matt and I agreed to try to focus as much as possible on our own little bubble and our sphere of influence, and that decision did allow me to have what I'd have to admit was a pretty good year.
I've been going back on forth on options for my big 40th birthday destination race. Do I run something big and flashy, like the Las Vegas Rock 'n Roll half, or do I go the introspective route and run a quieter, more self-focused race?
The decision has been a hard one. It came up in the car ride to Portland last weekend, so when we sat down to do tarot readings after a long day of travel and shopping, it made sense for the topic to come up again. After all, we were in the mood to look for signs and get some life direction. So, I shuffled the cards, stacked them, put my hands on the deck, and held this thought in mind: what will my 40s bring, and what intention and energy will I bring to my next decade of life?
Then, I turned the card.
