It’s 2026, the start of a new year, and what a bumpy start it’s been. I truly hope that you are well, and facing this new year with hope, love, and a good pinch of grit. If my history degree has taught me anything, it’s that the world has always been an unpredictable place, and that peace and stability are the exceptions, rather than the rules.
All that being said, I am starting 2026 with a spirit of profound gratitude, which I hope to cling to throughout the next 12 months and beyond. Like so many of us, I have so much. I have my health, my home, and more food at my disposal than I could ever need. I have money enough to cover my needs and afford me little luxuries, and spare time to spend on myself and others. And above all else, I have my family, both chosen and biological. It’s far more than any of us are promised, and more than most can ever aspire to.
Is my life perfect? No, but who has ever been promised a perfect life? It’s more than good enough, and for that I should be, and am, very grateful.
One of my hopes this year, a word I much prefer to resolutions, is to write more original poetry. I love writing poetry, but I’ve been discouraged by my inner critic. Well, this year I hope to squash that self-silencing grouch, especially as I have some children’s poetry being published in a handful of new projects coming in 2026 and 2027! I’m not going to put any pressure on myself or chastize myself for failing to meet any specific writing goals – rather I hope to let the spirits move me, as it were, and open myself up to poetic inspiration, whenever and wherever it strikes.
I wish all the best to you and yours in this new year, and look forward to sharing poetry with you, all year long!
Hi Jane, nice to see you back, & to hear about your coming publishing, plus to read some new poems! Happy New Year!
And the very same to you!! 🥳🥳
Yay for more poetry! Look forward to your sharing.
Me too! Thanks so much for the support!
Looking forward to reading your work, Jane. I’m working on silencing my inner critic, too. So many ideas (could be good or bad) never get a chance because of Thomas (that’s what I’m calling my inner critic). I read somewhere recently that naming your inner critic can help keep him/her contained.
Ooooh, I really like that, what a great idea! “Name it to tame it”, as I tell my kiddo! I think I’ll call mine George. 😄
Happy New Year, Jane! Congrats on the upcoming publications! I like your focus on gratitude and hope.
Many thanks! Sometimes all you can do in tough times is look for the blessings. ♥️
Jane, I wish you tea and poetry in the new year! I also have to say, I LOVE your website design: the color scheme, the font, the look are all so peaceful and calming. Every time I visit and read a poem you’ve written, I feel relaxed and happy.
Oh, that’s so lovely to hear, thank you for the kind words!! I love spreading kindness and happiness. 🥰
Dear Jane!!! Congrats on your upcoming work and I will be looking forward to reading!!!! Yes!!! Here’s to our hopes!!!! Cheers!!!
Many many thanks!! 🥳🥳🥳
I love the beauty of your haiku collage. What a way to start a bright new year of poetry goodness. Like you, I live each day in gratitude. I’ve been struggling with daily writing but decided not to panic. It always comes back to me when I am patient and open. Welcome 2026!
That’s such a good way to frame it – don’t panic! The more tightly you try to grasp at the words, the more quickly they slip through your fingers. Just relax and go with the flow, right? ♥️
Jane, I’m looking forward reading your work. I’m so happy to hear you’ll be sharing poetry with us all year. I suffer from the same inner critic and recently decided the same as you that I just needed to share my work and keep submitting and hoping for the best. I love your phrases at the beginning of your post, especially the one about no more deprivation goals. You go, girl!
Yes, I’m so glad to hear it! The world deserves to hear our words, and we deserve to share them. 🥳🥳
Hooray! I’m here for more new poetry from you. And, I do love the collage at the top of your page.
It’s fun to play around with Canva, it makes me feel more artistically talented than I am. 😉😄
I love the way you framed your HOPES, and you made me realize that without intending to, I also am leaning toward hopes for and gratitude for all kinds of abundance and solidly away from any deprivation goals.
Life is hard enough as it is without adding anything negative to it, right? ♥️♥️
Jane, yay for making your poetry a priority in 2026! So happy to hear this and rooting for you!
May we all find the poetry muses generous this year! 🥳
Go, Jane! I love your more gentle approach to “goals” than our usual more frenetic, stressful one. I nodded through your whole post; we are surrounded by abundance, most of us – not all, likely – who are privileged to wander around Poetry Friday. Wishing you all the best in this new year, and many thanks for the kind vibes you’ve sent us from your side of the border during this horrific week.
It’s not always easy to find the blessings, especially in these terrible times! Thinking of all my American neighbors. ♥️♥️♥️
Joining you in gratitude and hoping you squash that inner-critic with your joy!
Here, here! ♥️♥️
It’s so good to see you, Jane! I love your hopes for 2026, and love the Haiku you shared today. Congrats on the upcoming projects in ’26 and ’27!
Thank you! It’s always fun having new projects on the go. 😄
Jane, it is wonderful seeing you back at PF. Your new blog styling is a wonderful sight and I love this thought of yours: “I hope to let the spirits move me, as it were, and open myself up to poetic inspiration”. Congratulations on your new poems being published. Your spirit of profound gratitude will take you far this year.
♥️♥️♥️
Jane, my first comment never opened so here I am again. I really like what you designed for your blog. It is a refreshing and lovely format. I am also glad that you returned to PF. It seems that you are very busy with your new poems and publications. I do like this thought you wrote,” I hope to let the spirits move me, as it were, and open myself up to poetic inspiration”. With gratitude in your heart, I say that you are already opening yourself. Have a wonderful start to the year.
The last half of 2025 was definitely a whirlwind, but I’m crossing my fingers for a smoother, gentler start to 2026. Wishing you so much joy this year, too! ♥️♥️
I love the format of your New Year Haiku and appreciate your wise words. Wishing you a year filled with poetry, Jane!
And the very same to you! 🤩