From a crazy person whose favorite month is January…
Here’s a peek at my goals for 2026 in partnership with Amazon Alexa
I know not everyone feels this way, but I love January. With a passion. Give me a fresh planner, an open calendar and cozy nights in and suddenly I believe anything is possible. This time of year is always when I do my clearest thinking. It brings out my goal-setting, creative-dreamer self – which sometimes gets buried during fall.
2025 went by in a blink. Faster than I even realized. With some big highlights, but also some moments of feeling stuck – and a lot of goals I failed (which I think it’s important to share).
I find with myself that if it doesn’t get on the docket in January, a lot of times it gets swept away in the day-to-day and I ended up looking back on a lot of those this year. But it never discourages me. I still get just as giddy and optimistic when this month rolls around (can you tell Positivity was #1 on my StrengthsFinder?).
This month, I’m trying to scale back on less goals that I really want to make happen. So here’s what’s on my radar for 2026…
1. The Glow-Up Bucket List
High maintenance to be low maintenance. I feel like this is a diva version of making all your doctor’s appointments. I’ve made a checklist of fun treatments I’ve always wanted to try, and booked them… starting now. I’ve already tried RF microneedling and pressed go on Invisalign, and next up is a Brazilian blowout and a lash lift. I know it might sound a little extra, but as someone who used to work in the beauty industry, it’s self-care that feels like a reset. These are the things I’ve pinned, bookmarked, and put off for years. I’m finally doing them and I’m letting it feel fun, not frivolous.
2. Skyrocket My Productivity with AI
One of the biggest shifts I’m making this year is how I manage my time and energy. Between content creation, brand calls, community building for Disabled&, and actually living my life—I’ve felt like I’m constantly playing calendar Tetris. So I’ve been leaning into tech.
One of my good friends actually happens to have a long career in tech — specifically AI, so I officially convinced her to come in as a consultant & help re-hash all my extremely inefficient systems. A big part of our conversation has been around amping up the tech I already use, like my Alexa+ to help me streamline my days.
I’ve had Amazon Echo products in my home for years but now with the new Alexa+it’s been such a game changer. I’ve accepted that my favorite form of productivity is talking… which isn’t always the solution, but in this case, it works. Alexa+ is conversational and remembers the context of what I need (aka I don’t have to use “perfect Alexa-speak” anymore).
I set up a whole morning routine by voice and with the help of smart plugs and smart lights - I’ve turned my space into an Alexa+ Home. So every morning at 8AM, Alexa+ turns on my lights, starts my coffee, reminds me to take my supplements, reads my schedule and plays music that helps me stay motivated. I know.
I don’t have to dig through an app to set up an automated routine - just yap and it happens. Dare I say I’ve perfected my productive morning routine?
My overarching goal was to kick off the year with intention and ease and really nailing down my routines with Alexa+ is helping me streamline it all which I think I needed more than I even realized.
3. Speaking of Tech…Test Drive a Self-Driving Car
Okay, this one’s a little vulnerable. I haven’t really driven since I was 18, when I was in a car accident on the way to see my then-boyfriend. It shook me, and I just stopped. Between NYC life and not wanting to get behind the wheel again, driving quietly left my world.
But for 5 years of living in Nashville, it’s been looming over me that I live in a driving city. And it’s pretty inconvenient to live here without a car. I did give it a shot again last year and did about 4 test-drives with my husband, but I just couldn’t shake the anxiety.
The idea of self-driving tech kind of cracked something open for me – ever since I saw my incredible disabled friends Rion & Sarah Todd in their Teslas. Rion swears it’s totally changed her life, and I really think this is the year I get back on the road. I’m ready to get the independence and freedom of driving back - so stay tuned on the journey.
4. Finally Take a Sewing Class
I’ve been saying I want to learn how to hem my own pants for... years. I’m 5’1” on a good day and spend way too much at the tailor. So this is the year I sign up for a class, learn the basics, and maybe - just maybe - end the year confidently tailoring my own pieces. Who knows? I feel like it could send me on a journey to start making clothes. Getting ahead of myself, but I’ll report back. And if you have any tips at all please send them my way.
5. Launch a Capsule Collection
Speaking this into existence: I’d love to co-create a capsule collection with a brand I adore. Celia B would be the perfect match. Something colorful, wearable, a little whimsical. Something that feels like me, but also like you might wear it too.
6. Host More “Just Come Over” Dinners
Community has been the theme of my life the last few years, and I just want to keep leaning in. I’m going to stop waiting for things to be “perfect” before inviting my friends over. If you know me, you know I love a theme. I love a menu. I love a perfectly set dinner table (and that isn’t going anywhere). But there’s also something so connecting about friends you feel comfortable enough inviting over on a whim, ordering takeout, opening a bottle of wine (or 2), and talking til 11PM while a movie plays in the background. And maybe especially after a long or hard day.
7. Get Stronger (Literally)
Last year I committed to begin strength training, and I’m pretty proud that I made good headway. It wasn’t perfectly consistent, but after 2 years of not working out, it was major progress. This year, as Gwynth Paltrow said “we’re lifting heavy weights.”
I’m learning to trust my body more, push myself in the gym, and take every workout as a win. Maybe even… have fun with it?
So that’s the list. A little bit practical, personal, and of course a little bit audacious. I know not everything will happen exactly the way I envision it, but that’s never really the point. The point is to say it out loud. Take the small wins. Build momentum.
Happy new year.
Love you.
– April