This is my obligatory “things I am looking forward to” in the New Year.

1. Feeling “mostly well-ish” in 2026.

In September 2024, I got COVID for the second time. My doctor at the time was able to get me Paxlovid, which was great. Started taking it. Got better pretty quickly, and then the 5 days of Paxlovid ran out and I became incredibly ill. I couldn’t walk without a cane most of the time, around my house. I could barely stand without falling over. I started breaking out in hives. I developed an allergy to polyester. Now, some of this was “normal” for me, but it intensified to level 11.

I had already scheduled time with a specialist to determine whether or not I might have MCAS. After waiting for 14 months, I flew to Denver in January 2025 and was diagnosed with MCAS, EDS and POTS (affectionately known in chronic illness circles as the trifecta). As is common with these, I also have small fiber neuropathy and chronic migraine.

This year has been a slow, healing journey. I’ve become very acquainted with my body and what she needs. Meanwhile, yes, working full-time. Still teaching. Still trying to finish my spiritual direction certificate. It has been quite a trying year, and some of the “trying” has been self-imposed.

2. Doing less.

Not doing less “better.” Not “being more efficient.” Just…doing less.

I quit my teaching job I’ve had with Kellogg Business School at Northwestern for the last 4 years. This will free up room, I am hopeful, to do more art.

My capacity is truly about 1 thing per day. While I used to be able to run at 1 million miles per hour, I can’t anymore. I don’t want to anymore. And I’m not going to.

3. Doing more art and spiritual direction.

In fall of 2026, I’ll complete my certificate for spiritual direction from Wisdom Tree Collective. I’ll be offering my workshop as a part of my practicum in June 2026 (click to sign up for the wait-list).

I’m planning to attend a bi-monthly art retreat throughout the year, and while that does not replace the weekly practice I had in 2024, my hope is that having a consistent time set aside will help sustain my artistic practice.

I’ve been debating offering some small group coaching for product managers. This would primarily focus on the questions like, “Am I doing the right things?” and “How do I move forward in my career?” If you are a product manager, and you’re interested in this, could you please let me know by replying?

4. Spending more time with friends and family.

I want to spend less time on my phone and more time being present. While I’m still figuring out exactly what that looks like, I’ve deleted most of the apps off my phone. I’m looking forward to spending less time with my phone.

5. This newsletter.

I’ve missed writing. Getting my thoughts out on paper is helpful to me, and having a reason to write regularly helps hold me accountable. I’m looking forward to writing this on a bi-weekly basis and showing up in your inbox.

6. Products that aren’t ethically ambiguous at best.

I’m at the point in my career where I’m paying attention to the choices products make. Reading Careless People this year really made me question the ethics of all products. And the internet. And I’m saying this as someone who is a VP of Product in the beauty industry. 🙃 I genuinely want to think through how, when and where to participate in building a digital ecosystem that isn’t extractive.

Updates & other little things

1. I have a new website. Instead of having multiple websites, I decided to combine everything into one. Less less less.

2. On the new website, I have some art and some stickers for sale! Free shipping on everything.

3. First person to reply to this email with their mailing address gets a free random sticker of my choosing. 😀

Things I’m Paying Attention To Lately

1. This article about intuition and consciousness’ impact on matter by Anna Branten. 🤯

2. This quote by Sabine Carys: “The real issue is not that writers are greedy or that readers are cheap, but that we’re all trapped in a system where cultural production has been so devalued that $5/month feels simultaneously like an insultingly small amount to pay someone for their labor and completely unsustainable when you’re already being asked to subscribe to twenty other writers.” As someone trying to eventually make a living from art, writing and spiritual direction…this feels very, very real to me.

3. This website with lots of lovely prompts to help you wander and wonder.

Have a happy New Year, everyone! Look forward to seeing you in 2026.

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