Beginning Again

Overlooking the Indian Ocean, Lamu, Kenya

Hello 2026! I last wrote a new year’s blog three years ago, soon after I started The Eternal Optimist. I am inspired to write another now because, like then, I have some new hopes for this new year.

I started The Eternal Optimist as an outlet for my writing. An opportunity to write what I want without the constraints of a client or employer. In 2025, I lost some of the consistency (or perhaps perseverance) that pushed this blog into existence and my hope for this year is to find it anew.

The last time I did this, I had three clear goals for the year. This time, I have just one: consistency. My hope for 2026 is that I remain consistent in the things I choose to do (like writing for this blog regularly).

I have read quotes that discipline is what shows up when motivation has left. Because this blog is born from passion and the love of writing, I much prefer the connotations of the word “consistency” over those associated with “discipline”. I like the idea that I am writing out of maintaining what I love rather than controlled behaviour.

I am reminded of an old friend who always used to tell me to stop worrying about making things perfect — he said I just needed to get it done/make it exist (and I could make it perfect later). I remember his words often because that desire to get things just right is what delayed me starting this blog and one of the things that hampered my writing here consistently in 2025. I had so many pieces I wanted to write but thought my way out of them because they weren’t going to be the perfection I envisioned. I kept writing but I did so for clients and other people and not for this blog.

So, consistency is the right word for this year. Because I hope that even if I can’t get it perfect, I can consistently make it exist (and make it perfect later).

Here’s to 2026: a year of being consistent.