January Welcome – Living and Breathing on Hatteras Island
New Year Intentions
Yes, I missed the last two monthly welcomes. But I’m very much back—present and stepping into 2026 with renewed energy and optimism.
Growing up in England, it’s always the chimes of Big Ben that ring in the New Year for me. Conveniently, living now on this side of the pond means midnight in London arrives at 7pm here—the perfect excuse to raise a celebratory glass (or eat twelve grapes for luck), enjoy the fireworks from afar, and still get an early night.
While the spectacle in the UK is always impressive, what resonates most is the message. Building on London: A City of Hope, 2026 arrives with a call for Togetherness—a theme that feels especially meaningful right now.
Here in the US, the New Year ushers in its own symbolism. With the launch of America250, illuminated across the Washington Monument and Times Square’s new Constellation Ball, the focus turns to independence, freedom, and prosperity. Like many Americans across the South, I’ll welcome the year with collard greens, black-eyed peas, and cornbread—pennies, money, and gold—time-honored traditions layered with hope and intention. And with those good intentions in mind, maybe I’ll step into the New Year a little differently—walking to work instead of driving whenever I can, inspired by the Buddhist monks on their Walk for Peace.
Letting 2026 Take Shape
I started first with a Facebook group as a simple place to share a monthly post—before websites and blogs felt accessible or achievable. The world seems to have moved on from blogging (or journaling… or whatever we’re calling it now), which makes my last post, Un-Journaling, feel especially fitting.
I had blog post plans for November (Rinse and Retreat) and December (Giving When Something’s Gotta Give). Those ideas were swirling around in my head and may yet find their way onto the page when time allows.
The past few months have been full—transitioning from summer to winter work, the start of school basketball season, and, in the midst of it all, fulfilling a long-held dream: skilling up and becoming a certified travel advisor. It’s been a juggle. A big one. But a good one.
As 2026 unfolds, I’m excited to see what takes shape—for this space, this community, and all of us. If this year is about togetherness, then I’m grateful to be sharing this journey with you.
Follow me @traveldeskhatteras my Facebook and Instgram pages:
And proudly—ta-da—I finally launched my website and blog:
Photo credit: @casalfilmsestudio
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