Things To Do for Fun in 2026

 Last year, I came up with a list of 50 things to do during the year of my 50th birthday.  Many things on that list did not get done.  However, I am far from disappointed with that.  I made some efforts and did manage to check off several things.  I decided that I am going to keep my list going this year and see what I can do.  I have renamed it "Things To Do for Fun" because the items on my list are things that I will enjoy doing. 

On New Year's Eve, I sat at home alone.  That is not a bad thing, those were simply my circumstances this year.  And like many people, I thought about the things I wanted to accomplish this coming year. I came up with several goals for the next year. None of them are financial or physical even though those kinds of goals are definitely on my mind and on my To Do list actually. These are goals that my To Do list will help me to achieve.  

Enjoy my own company

I don't want this to sound as if I do not like myself.  Quite the contrary.  What I am talking about here is to allow myself to enjoy the time I spend alone.  I spend a good deal of time by myself and while I am hoping to change that to a degree, I still want to have time to myself.  And I want to enjoy my time to myself.  Finding joy in things that I do on my own.  You know how much I enjoy my domestic duties but sometimes I need to tell myself to stop and do something else.  Put down the laundry and pick up a book to read for an hour.  Have a cup of tea and listen to a record.  Watch reruns of Antiques Roadshow.  Just sit and be by myself and have a good time. I want more of that in my daily life. 

Connections Old and New

Now onto the other end of that spectrum, I want to connect with more people this year.  I met some new people last year and had a wonderful time in that.  And I have been reconnecting with people from my past and that has done wonders for me.  What I find difficult is keeping those connections going.  I know that we all have different lives to lead, but I want to make more time to be with the people I love and with those whose company I enjoy.  I want to build up my social circle, not in quantity but in quality.  Several of my college classmates and I have had wonderful times together over the past few years and seeing them always makes me feel blessed.  And it's nice to have friends to do things with.

Traditions

I blogged recently about Christmas traditions I want to work on next year.  But there are other traditions I want to start.  And these do not necessarily need to revolve around a holiday or a particular time.  I am talking more of sharing meals with friends.  You all know I love to cook and set my table, so why not include others in that?  I am never going to get through my social anxiety unless I start doing some things like that. I love my Sunday lunches and would love to have someone else at the table with me.  I would love to take monthly antiques shopping days with friends.  Just those kinds of things that give me something to look forward to.  I'm very much open to suggestions - a book club? game nights?  etc.

Anyway, I am hoping that my "Things To Do for Fun" list will help me work towards these goals over the next year.  If anyone wants to get together and help out, just let me know!  Here's to a great 2026!