Hello lovelies, happy Friday and happy Boxing Day. For those who celebrated, I hope you had a lovely, joyful, and peaceful Christmas surrounded by the warmth of your loved ones.
Here in the GTA, it looks like we missed our white Christmas by a day. The white stuff is coming down unapologetically right now – just in time for all the Boxing Day mall flockers. lol
Let’s talk about that for a second:
Now, back in the day, Boxing Day was a thing. The day after Christmas, you had to be at the mall to get the best deals. But now? The whole concept feels so overrated.
Back in the day, Boxing Day had an essence about it – when e-commerce wasn’t nearly as instrumental to how we shop as it is now. There were actual decent sales that perhaps made it worth lining up outside a store at 4am to get first dibs on that TV. *shrugs* But now, the reality is that these ‘Boxing Day’ sales are really ‘Boxing Week’ sales. However, if stock is an issue, depending on what you have your sights on, then I guess it would make sense to try and grab those items on the day of. Regardless, with the ease of online shopping and having virtually the same access to the deals, I can’t be bothered. At least not on the day of, and especially not in the middle of a snowstorm!
Anyways, we are, alas, on the cusp of another new year, another start of a new chapter, another chance to become a better version of ourselves.
How ever this year has been for you, whatever path it took you on, I hope that in 2026, you’re able to embody more of these traits in your life:
Peace – Keep the chaos of the outside world at bay. If we are not calm at the heart of our souls, everything will feel heavy and overwhelming all the time. If faith is part of your life, make space to strengthen your relationship with God. Do whatever it takes to keep your heart light and your mind at ease.
Be Present – Choose presence over perfection. It’s so easy to get caught up in the frenzy of getting everything right that we completely lose sight of savoring the moment. For example, the holiday season tends to come and go in a blur. Unless you make a point to slow down and really relish the magic of the season, you’ll miss out. Make those Christmas cookies that you’ve been wanting to for so long, send out those Christmas cards, visit the seasonal pop-ups, whatever gets you in the holiday spirit, allow yourself to relish it, because it will be over before you know it. (Now I realize it’s a day after Christmas, but you get my point. lol)
Avoid Over-Committing – It’s natural to want to show up for the people we love, to be dependable, and to do things that bring them joy. Making others happy often brings us happiness in return. But this desire can become detrimental when it leads us to stretch ourselves too thin.
Life is all about balance. You have to know when to say no – and to not feel bad about it. We can’t keep going without taking healthy breaks in between to prioritize ‘me’ time. If you want the best version of someone, you will also have to give them the space they need to rejuvenate so that they can continue being that person for you.
Being Okay with Being Misunderstood – No matter what, there will always be people who simply don’t ‘get’ you, and that’s okay. You are not responsible for how others perceive you. As long as you are doing what makes you happy, what is aligned with your path, and staying true to your authentic self, the rest will fall into place, and the people that belong in your life will be there to support you on your journey.
Trust the Process – Sometimes, we become so fixated on ensuring every single detail is in place before making a move. It’s called ‘analysis paralysis’. I know I have been guilty of this myself. The reality is that there is not always a need to have it all completely figured out. Sometimes, ‘going with the flow’ is exactly what we need to do. We could alleviate a lot of our anxiety if we just believed in the process as we move along. Take that first step forward and have faith that the clarity you are seeking will come.
Balance Your Time Online – I feel like this is a much-needed reminder to all of us every year.
I read a quote the other day that gave me pause:
“Our elders understood that the real luxuries were slow mornings, honest work, home-cooked meals, well-worn books, candlelit evenings, deep rest, and relationships you could truly rely on.”
– Vex King
The older I get, the more I find myself reflecting on the ‘simpler’ times in life, before the age of digital distraction. This quote serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of just that: that life is more about relishing the present moment, enjoying quality time with your loved ones, and not just about getting the perfect shot for the ‘gram’.
We are inevitably etched in a digital age; this is what our reality is. The real challenge is managing that ‘pull’ of social media so it doesn’t consume our days or our sense of self. Finding balance means protecting our privacy and remembering that not everything meaningful needs to be shared.
Foster Kindness – The world is a beautiful place, but unfortunately, it is also marred with negativity and strife, grief, and chaos. The one way to maintain some semblance of calm amid all of it is to circulate positivity and kindness into the universe. People are often fighting battles no one knows about, silently struggling while having a smile on their face. Your act of kindness (big or small), empathetic ear, understanding gesture, or just the warmth of your presence can do wonders for them – and in turn it will make you feel better about yourself. As the saying goes, be the energy you want to attract.
As the title states, a new year is not about stopping and starting something. It’s about setting an intention and working towards manifesting that intention. It’s about continuous evolution and focusing on being the best version of yourself. Sometimes growth can feel lonely as you are ‘shedding’ what no longer fits, but just know that this is all part of your greater good. The key is to stay in pursuit of your own happiness, and the people that are meant to be in your life, that are aligned with your goals and your energy, will show themselves and will be cheering you on.
I wish all of you love, peace, joy, good health, and prosperity in 2026. God Bless.
Sarah Warsi 