I almost didn't write this post. Last year was a year of healing and slowing down so the goals I had set for 2025 really didn't get accomplished. I didn't want to write this post because in part, it would be admitting my failure from last year. But I ultimately decided to because some years are just like that. And some years we cross everything off. But that's okay. Maybe it is because of financial reasons, or time, or health. But just because you fail to cross things off your list one year, doesn't mean you shouldn't make goals ever again. So here are my hopes for this coming year.
Privacy Screen
This has been on my to-do-list for a few years now. I didn't even want to add it to the list this year because of that. But I have started collecting the supplies for it so it seems more real. Like it might just actually happen.
It will be a large project. It hasn't been completed yet because of all three reasons I listed above. I was healing from back surgery for the first half of 2025. After a ton a large, unexpected expenses on top of Shane's company laying him and his department off, we kind of paused any large DIY projects. It is also a time issue. Since it is a 2 person job, I am forced to wait until Shane is home on the weekend to help. And when you have kids, weekends are not always yours to do as you please. So fingers crossed, this giant 100 foot privacy screen can at least get started!
It will run parallel with my 100 foot long flower bed with all my perennial flowers and roses.
More Attic Storage Space
Several years ago we decided to take advantage of our attic space for storage. When you live in a small home, storage is a premium. We added 2x10s (sistered the joists and added blocking) and OSB boards for flooring. We also enlarged the teeny tiny access hole so we could easily lift large totes in and out and added a pull down ladder.
We only did one quarter of the attic at that time. Our goal was to do a quarter of the attic each year, but we got busy with other things. This winter we are going to finally get around to doing another section. The lumber is already purchased!
I'll do a better job documenting the process since I had a lot of questions about it last time.
Down Bathroom
We partially completed the down bathroom (which hasn't been shared) but we need to finish it completely and make it pretty. I have all the supplies except the sink. I can't 100% decided on which direction to go in with that. But a reveal will definitely be happening this year!
Primary Bedroom
The black wall is no more! I have been craving a more cottage-y vibe with antiques, more color and more patterns. I want it to whisper "cozy" and be light and bright. I have a new headboard, new night stands, the paint, and some new accessories and art. I am currently hung up on the bedding. I can't decide and it driving me crazy. And I don't feel like I can chose a rug until the bedding is sorted out. Do you ever get stuck on one thing in a room makeover? And then it all just halts? It's very frustrating!
My Son's Bedroom
In a month, I will be down to one kid left at home out of my 4 sons. That is absolutely crazy to me! My third son will be leaving on a church mission for 2 years (in the Philippines) and so I thought it would be a good time to redo the boys' bedroom since there are currently 3 twin beds in there. The last time we did a makeover in there was back in 2018 (8 years ago!).
My youngest keeps changing his mind on how he wants it to look so until he nails down a layout, we are stuck in the planning phase right now. But that is okay since this winter we will be busy with the projects we already have supplies for.
Laundry/Storage Room
The last time I did anything with my laundry room area was in 2013! It is gray and... functional. It is in the basement and has a concrete floor. I would love to paint it white to brighten it up, add some peel and stick flooring, and organize it a bit more. It will not be a jaw dropping or expensive. But it will freshen it up!
I don't have any of the supplies and it is a low priority project (hence the 12 years of nothing). But I do hope we can get to it this year.
Office Refresh
My office is perfectly fine and is not in need of an overhaul or anything but the last time I painted the cabinets and refreshed it was 6 years ago and I am just wanting to change it up a little bit. My office is the darkest room in my house since it faces north & west. It gets sunny in the late afternoon for a brief period of time and that's it. In the winter time it is extra dark.
Right now the greens and grays are on the cool side and I just want to brighten it up. I will be adding in warmer colors to make it feel more cheerful.
More Content
Overall, I want to be more consistent with sharing. I feel like I pulled back last year. It was my year of healing a slowing down. And I needed it. But I want to be more present here and on social media. I love sharing and teaching and the feeling of community.
I will do a better job of sharing the process and not just the before and after. I will be sharing more gardening content as well. That has always been a passion of mine since I was a small child and I am in a season of life where I have more time than ever before to spend outside.
If you don't already, please consider following me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube). I thrive on that feeling of community and comments here, as well as interaction on those platforms. It is what keeps me going.
I have many more goals, but these are the main ones. I am so excited to share any and all projects that I am able to do this year.
Thank you for sharing this journey with me and for supporting me all these years.
Decorating is a process. You will find the right bedding and be off and running again. There's always next year. Goals are good motivators but you have a lot planned for 2026. Give yourself some grace.
Thank you! My kids always tease me that I bite off more than I can chew. I like to have long to-do lists because it gives me options of things to do. I try to aim high and be okay if I don't get it all done.
Happy you are feeling better! I've been following you for well over 8 years. The picture of your boys playing when they were younger is so precious and the picture of your sweet pup. I remember when your boys were all younger, crazy how fast kids grow up. We are empty nesters and have one grandchild already. I was the sole caretaker of him and it kept me busy until he started Kindergarten. Once he started school last year, thought I'd be tackling a lot of my own projects I had put on hold, but kept putting things off. I told myself this year is the year for me as well, to get back into projects.
Enjoying seeing all your content. You got this! Thanks for sharing with the world :)
Oh I can't wait for the grandbaby stage! SO fun! I hope my boys live close enough that I can babysit.
It is hard to pick things back up with projects after having a break. I hope you find the time to get some crossed off your list. Thank you for following along with me all these years :)
I really enjoyed this perspective on setting intentional home goals instead of just chasing trends. The idea of creating spaces that actually support how you want to live in 2026 feels much more sustainable (and realistic) than constant cosmetic updates. I especially liked the focus on long-term functionality — things like smarter storage and layout changes often make a bigger impact than decor alone.
When we were planning our own updates, we found it helpful to look at renovation planning resources like https://qualityrenovation.com to better understand how to prioritize projects that add both comfort and value. It makes the whole process feel less overwhelming.