Every year, one of the most grounding practices I return to isn’t goal-setting. It’s celebration. Time to actually take in all of the incredible moments of wonder, joy, and breaktaking growth. Time to solidify those memories and let lessons truly solidify, so the next year flows freely in alignment.

Before we rush toward what’s next, there is enormous power in pausing long enough to ask: What actually brought me joy this year?

2025 took every area of my life and shook it up and down like a snow globe until all the pieces shifted in the best possible way. This year, I’m sharing my reflections with you, full of gratitude and hopefulness in the power of holding onto a courageous new vision with the love and support of friends like you.

This simple exercise does something profound. It trains your brain to recognize joy, which makes you more receptive to it in the future. It helps you notice patterns not just in what you accomplished, but in what nourished you. And it gives you real, lived evidence of what’s already working, so inspiration doesn’t have to come from willpower or discipline, but from truth.

drumroll… so without further ado, here are my top joyful moments from 2025!

#1 Hanging Chinoise panels as the finishing touch in my new Austin apartment

One of the quiet joys of this year was finishing my Austin apartment and seeing the home decor truly reflect who I am. Hanging the beautiful panels in my favorite, warm colors felt symbolic, like placing the final touches in a home that symbolizes serenity and creativity. Most mornings, I sip coffee on my patio, overlooking the downtown skyline and the lake trail, brimming over with gratitude for my January “city dating” experiment that led me to test-drive life in Austin, and stumble upon my dream apartment.

This new home holds so many parts of me. City girl and country girl. It’s cozy and intentional, filled with natural wood, cherry blossom motifs, and bright white space that doubles as my creative studio. More than anything, its downtown location makes community easily within reach. Friendships I invested in years ago that quietly, lovingly carried me here are now only a few blocks away.

#2 Opening the letter with my official LLC registration

Another defining moment was opening the letter with my official LLC registration. After eight years of working within a consulting firm while building my own work on the side, formalizing my solo business felt invigorating and grounding.

It was a meaningful step toward leaving a role I had outgrown. Every morning when I wake up, I’m actually excited to work with all of my clients, but especially my primary client, Save the Sound. I love this organization and the people behind it. The increased spaciousness in my schedule allows me to show up with even more presence and creativity.

#3 Learning to Communicate With Clarity and Heart

Two years ago, three of my closest friends kindly asked me to improve my communication style. Talk about an eye-opening moment! Fast forward to 2025, and a major theme of my year was improving relationships through clearer communication. One of the most powerful moments came after a communication seminar, when I had a breakthrough conversation with my parents. I felt loved and cherished by my family in a whole new way, because I was better able to communicate.

Between working with my coach, reading The Let Them Theory with a close friend, and attending the Satvatove Seminar (twice!) here in Austin, clear communication has been one of the most liberating sources of joy this year. I truly believe that every person deserves to be seen and acknowledged in their full humanity, and thanks to my new skills, I feel more confident in supporting that level of communication.

#4 Picknicking overlooking Zion National Park

Some of my most joyful memories came from being completely off the grid while hiking and being outdoors with people I love. My favorite hike of the year was an unexpected trip to Zion National Park, where some parts of the landscape looked as if they were from another planet. There’s nothing like that moment of awe at a hard-earned hike lookout.

#5 Welcoming Guests to Selena Soo’s Rich Relationships Conference

This year, I’ve often found myself saying, “I feel like the richest girl in the world.” Not because of my bank account, but because of incredible, generous friends.

Volunteering at Selena Soo’s Rich Relationships conference (also here in Austin!) was a highlight, as were so many shared meals, deep conversations, and reconnections, including a Princeton friends’ wedding that felt like a joyful reunion of past and present selves.

#6 Opening the Box of Redesigned Joyful Flow Planners

Holding a mock-up Joyful Flow Planner in my new brand colors felt like opening a promise. This year, I’ve been less focused on teaching and more focused on expressing my authentic voice creatively and honestly.

Feedback from friends, family, and my Artist’s Way group helped me refine my message. Attending Elizabeth Gilber’s book launch reminded me of the power of storytelling that touches hearts, not just minds.

#7 Accidentally training for a marathon

Somewhere along the invites to do long Saturday runs, I accidentally trained for and ran a marathon. What made it unforgettable wasn’t the finish line, but the friends who joined me at mile 21 and ran with me to the end.

Training and running became a moving meditation, a lived embodiment of everything I teach about flow. It was about time together, being outdoors, and letting the process of enjoying each mile matter more than the outcome.

#8 My Wandering Solo Road Trip

A pivotal shift happened when I transformed my move across the country into a solo road trip to Austin! Instead of grinding through a 21-hour drive, I broke it into three quiet days of solo adventure, including soaking in the mineral-rich waters of Hot Springs National Park.

That decision changed everything. It reminded me that how we move through life matters. My mantra: “How you go there is how you get there.”

#9 Returning to Poetry and Play

One of the deepest joys of the year was returning to writing poetry. Through “retreat” mornings and solo dates, I gave myself permission to write, watercolor, and create just for the sheer joy of it. These practices have been incredibly grounding for managing anxiety amidst so much change. One spontaneous highlight was singing improvised poetry during a folk jam session. Pure play.

#10 Popping Out of Ocean Surf to Witness Nature

Finally, nature surprised me again and again this year. From popping out of ocean surf face-to-face with a seal, to floating beside a pelican during a long ocean swim, to walking beside Texas longhorns under a wide summer sky. Connecting with nature brings me so much joy and reminds me how wild and precious this life is. I think of it often when walking the lake trail here in Austin. If you’re passing through, I do hope you’ll join me to witness the hawks, herons, and cranes.

What were Your 2026 Joyful Moments?

Thank you for letting me share these reflections. If you’ve made it thus far, then I’d love it if you let me know what were some of your top 2026 joyful moments 🙂

P.S. To learn more about the process behind my 2025 review and 2026 visioning, follow along on instagram.