Issue 02 · January 2026 · A Fresh Start

I love January. No matter the weather, it always feels like the sun is rising on a new day, giving us all a chance at a do-over. Some people choose words to mark their intentions for the year, others set resolutions or goals, and some simply reflect on where they might be when another year passes.

For me, 2026 will be the year I publish my first children's book. There is so much about this that is equally thrilling and terrifying. When I reflect on how I got here, I can't help but credit my "word" for 2025: imagination. At the start of last year, I never would have guessed that word would lead me here — to a manuscript, an illustrator, and a story I'm finally brave enough to share. But keeping imagination at the front of my mind slowly expanded what I believed was possible.

That's what imagination does. It doesn't just spark a new idea, it fuels it The research on this is fascinating: when we allow ourselves to truly picture a different future, our brains begin working toward it in ways we don't even consciously notice. And yet, somewhere between January and February, most of us quietly set that picture down. Not because we aren't capable — but because no one reminded us to keep looking at it. This year, I want to invite you to hold your intentions a little differently, not as a checklist to complete, but as a picture to keep returning to.

Here are a few books that may help you start 2026 off with imagination and intention.

​You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero

If your inner critic is louder than your ambition right now, pick up You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero. It's the rare self-help book that's actually funny, genuinely practical, and doesn't make you feel worse for reading it. If you're stepping into this new year ready to shed what's been holding you back, I can't think of a better companion for the journey.

​Maybe by Kobi Yamada & Illustrated by Gabrielle Barouch

Maybe is an invitation to imagine what could be. With whimsical illustrations and gentle, affirming words, Kobi Yamada reminds us that we all carry unique gifts, purpose, and possibility, no matter our age. Becoming who we’re meant to be often begins with wonder, courage, and believing that anything is possible. A perfect book to start the year!

Something Someday by Amanda Gorman & Illustrated by Christian Robinson

I love beginning the year with Something, Someday. Amanda Gorman’s poetic text and Christian Robinson’s vibrant illustrations offer such a hopeful reminder that meaningful change often begins with small, imperfect steps. January naturally invites reflection and fresh beginnings, and this story beautifully encourages children and adults alike to believe that even the smallest acts of kindness, courage, and care can help shape a better world.

Wintering by Katherine May

I always find myself returning to Wintering at the beginning of the year. January often pushes us toward goals, productivity, and reinvention, but Katherine May offers a gentler invitation: to slow down, pay attention, and honor the quieter seasons of life. Thoughtful, beautifully written, and deeply comforting, this book reminds me that rest, reflection, and healing are not signs of falling behind, and often prepare us for what comes next.

This newsletter is one of the ways I get to keep imagining alongside you, and I don't take that lightly. Thank you for being here. However you're stepping into this new year; with a word, a goal, a quiet hope, or just a willingness to try something new, I'm cheering you on.

Until next month,

Cathi