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Happy 2026, My Friends!

Oh, my gosh, it is so good to be back. As I record this, we’re stepping into a new year, 2026, and for some of us, there’s a curious slowness. Perhaps the year hasn’t quite arrived for you yet, or you still feel the urge to hibernate. Low energy, a sense of stillness, that feeling of not quite having kicked into action… if that resonates, this reflection is for you.

The Pause Before the Momentum

I haven’t recorded an episode for a while. The reason is simple: I’ve been retreating, sitting still, processing. I’ve been journaling, noticing how I react to situations, people, and even my own thoughts. I’ve been observing what triggers me, what unsettles me, and what gives me anxiety. It’s been an immersive period of mindset work and self-awareness.

Just yesterday, I attended a retreat with Ruth Cato, where we delved into astrology. Interestingly, she reminded us that, astrologically, we’re still in the Year of the Snake. Despite the calendar flipping to 2026, the energy for many of us feels like a continuation of letting go, shedding, and slowing down. For me, this resonates deeply.

The Year of the Snake: Shedding and Stillness

This period has been about noticing what no longer serves me: physical clutter, teaching habits, limiting beliefs, and thought patterns. I’m shedding. And the idea of starting the year at full gallop doesn’t feel right just yet. There’s power in pausing, observing, and allowing the stillness to guide us.

I’ve been running my online event, Design Your Life, for over seven years. Usually, this season sees a surge of energy, goal-setting, and action. This year is different. The retreat, too, has shifted focus from goals to release, preparing us for the upcoming Year of the Fire Horse – a rare and potent astrological shift not seen since the 15th century.

Financial Freedom as a State of Mind

One powerful insight came to me recently: financial freedom isn’t about hitting a target number. It’s a state of mind. You can have millions in the bank and still feel anxious or restricted. True freedom comes from cultivating a sense of ease, abundance, and joy in your life – independent of the digits in your account.

This reflection has shaped my thinking for 2026. It’s led me to ask myself: How do I want to feel? How do I want to spend my time? These simple but profound questions are guiding me to design a life aligned with creativity, intention, and personal growth.

Three Pillars of Creative Living

In building my new platform, Creative Living, I’ve distilled my approach into three pillars:

  1. Living Intentionally – Every decision, every “yes” or “no,” shapes the life we want to live.

  2. Creativity – Art, writing, journaling, music, crafting, and expression are essential. Creativity connects us to ourselves and others in a beautiful, cyclical way.

  3. Becoming – Mindset work, mindfulness, and self-awareness guide our growth. We become through the way we live and create, learning to navigate fear and embrace our best selves.

A Moment to Sit Still

As we edge toward the Year of the Fire Horse, this is the perfect time to reflect. What do you need to shed? Which patterns, thoughts, or clutter are holding you back? Perhaps a digital declutter, clearing physical space, or releasing limiting beliefs could help.

For me, it’s about loving without fear, releasing anxiety around attachment, and finding calm and ease in my body and mind. Simple practices: breath, movement, sound, and grounding, help bring me back to myself.

Looking Ahead

You are not behind if you feel flat or slow in early 2026. This stillness is part of the process. Soon, momentum will arrive. Soon, the creative, energised Year of the Fire Horse will encourage us forward. And together, we’ll explore designing our lives intentionally, creatively, and joyfully.

Take this time to sit, reflect, and shed. The shift is coming and it’s extraordinary.

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Have a great week & take care,

Michelle xo