5 Things I'm Doing for MYSELF This 2026 to Fill My Cup

 

January 1. The start of a new year. The start of 2026. New year is the time for resolutions. I'm not one to make resolutions, because I know they're hard to keep. But this year, I'm doing something different. These aren't resolutions per se, but more of a lifestyle change. 

I was journaling last night, 15 minutes before midnight. And I've had several realizations. The first of them was that I wanted to be more selfish this year. Our pastor said in one of his sermons, to think of the other person more. I did some self-reflection and found that my problem is I've been thinking of the other person far more, for far too long than myself. I have given and given so much of myself, my time, energy, effort, money to other people all my life that by the end of the year, I'm left with nothing. 

That's why I decided that for 2026, I'll be a little more selfish. 

Here are 5 things I'm doing for myself this year to fill my cup:

1. Give in to impulse buys from time to time

I used to impulse shop a lot when I was single. A quick trip down my archive will reveal that 😆. 

But when I became a mom, I was more mindful of my spending, often giving all to my son. My son is older now and requires less things. So, I have more money to spend on impulse buys like these juttis. 

My beautiful authentic jutti from India

Impulse buys are emotional. If something sparks my joy, creativity, and gives me a dopamine boost that I can use to write and create, then yes to that impulse buy. 

2. Try out new restaurants to stop the fear

There was a time when I made everything from scratch because of my allergies. I have outgrown a lot of those allergies and am slowly trying food from different places. However, some restaurants give us bad tummy aches, or worse, food poisoning, that sometimes I prefer to just cook even though it's very tiring. (I get tired fast because of MCAS). 

Before the pandemic, my son and I used to go on dates and we loved trying new restaurants. I want to bring that tradition back, so I can spend more quality time with him. 

I need to stop being paranoid that we'll get sick from eating out.

3. Ask help with meals

Like I said, there was a time when I made everything from scratch, even tomato sauce and bread! But that's not realistic for my load now. I used to dislike buying prepared food because I don't know what's in them if there's no label, or I worry about how they were made. (I'm a stickler for cross-contamination). 

But now, I buy prepared food from time to time as they save me a lot of energy and time during low-energy days or ADHD rut days. They're also very helpful when Lady Flo is around, as I can ask my husband to just reheat them. 

Buying bread that can be eaten for breakfast or evening snack

4. Create more

I'm a maker through and through. My mom and grandma were very much into crafts. My mom still is when given the opportunity.

In 2025, I neglected my crafts and I really felt the hole it left. Like there's something missing from my rhythm. When I started creating again in December, I found that spark once more that made me feel whole. So now, in 2026, I'm going to create more products that make me and my clients happy.  

These are available in my Shopee. I will upload them to Gumroad, too! 

5. Not thinking twice when buying good food that heals even if it's expensive

Would I rather hold off on buying expensive eggs and spend that money on who knows what or just spend it on the darn eggs and improve my health? The answer is obvious.

One of the areas I invest heavily in is our food. I buy the best, healthiest, cleanest food that my money can buy. Saves us a ton on trips to the doctor and medicines. We rarely get sick. My son caught a bug during vacation because his immune system was already down from being stuck in the car for hours and not having enough sleep the previous night and having diarrhea. But for the rest of the year? He, we're all healthy as a horse. Or ox, as we would say in our family. 

I choose myself this 2026. I will fill my cup first before I give to others, because how can I give from an empty cup?

What about you, Glow Girls? What are you doing for yourself this new year to fill your cup? Share in the comments below. 

I will leave you with this short video of me peeling off the paper from a newly sublimated mug for a client. 

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'Til my next post,

Stay soft. Stay strong. Stay Glowing.

LET'S GLOW.

With elegance and quiet fire, 

Lady E

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