2026 isn’t just a brand-new year. It is a blank canvas ready to become a new design full of possibilities. It also marks the beginning of a new phase in my life.

I’ll be turning 40 next month and will be entering middle age. 40 means different things for people, so it can create a very strong reaction. Some see it for all the possibilities it brings, while others see it as "The End" written at the end of a book.

Now that 2026 has started, I’ve been thinking a lot about habits. A new year is another chance to build the best version of ourselves. We can reflect and analyze everything we are doing now and what vision we have for the next 365 days.

This year, I want to focus on the things I can control and change. It will be less goal-setting and more on my vision for this next part of my life. I will examine the habits I already have, the ones I need to improve, and the new ones I want to adopt.

Today’s post is creating a plan for 2026. I will be looking at what habits I’ll be building in six different areas. I like the progress updates I did in June and December in 2025, so you’ll see those again this year with updates on how everything is going and what changes I’ll be trying.

Coding

There won’t be any new projects or new programming languages this year. The only coding I’ll be doing is for Coding with Kids and any classes I teach. My class load isn’t finalized yet and will change throughout 2026, but I will still be teaching Python or Scratch to kids.

While there won’t be anything new in this area of my life, I will be revisiting past projects I’ve made. I’ll be fixing code, updating the code, and deciding which ones get archived. The ones I’m most proud of will be going on the LinkedIn Projects section on my LinkedIn profile.

Code may sound like it is being put on the back burner, but it is still an important part of my life and is part of what shapes who I am. I’m hoping that in 2026, I’ll explore more of the coding tools and software developers can use to help them write code. I especially want to learn more about AI and get more comfortable using ChatGPT.

Writing

This one might seem like I’m cheating a little bit since I started writing again last year. However, this one is more maintenance and making sure this habit continues strong. Right now, I write a little bit every day for 25 minutes using the Cuckoo pomodoro timer from the Job Hunt Virtual Coffee group.

I don’t know how many posts will be published in 2026 because I am still writing. New posts will be coming. Last year, I went through all the series I have set up on DEV and identified which ones will continue and which ones will remain unfinished.

Posts aren’t the only writing I want to do in 2026. I have so many empty journals that I haven’t gotten around to using yet. I’d like to get back to journaling again.

I have many prompts saved on Pinterest or in my old bullet journal that I’d like to write about. I’ve been exploring other Forem communities besides DEV, and I would like to try publishing posts there as well. I’m not sure what topics I would write about yet, so I’ll begin brainstorming potential ideas that could lead to future posts.

Learning

Learning new skills and concepts is a big part of creating a better version of ourselves. Last year, I got a library card from my local library and started using their online resources. I spent a lot of time on LinkedIn Learning and have been working on getting certifications for data analysis and project management.

I will be taking those exams in 2026 to see if I get certified, but I am planning on exploring more LinkedIn Learning courses. I am still going to continue learning Korean, but this year I will be using only Drops.

Professional Development

I’m back on the job search, but I would classify myself as a casual job seeker. I’ll continue to look at job postings and apply for jobs that are the right fit for me. I plan on attending the Job Hunt event again in 2026 to get more support with the job search.

However, no one completely knows what the job market is going to be like in 2026. I’ve been thinking about exploring other side project ideas that can supplement what I already do with Coding with Kids. This could me going back to freelancing, writing an e-book, or creating a YouTube channel.

One habit that will continue throughout 2026 is networking. I like to hang out in the Virtual Coffee Slack, but I’d like to step outside my comfort zone and explore other Slack groups I am a member of. I’ll be going through those Slack groups, Discord servers, and Facebook groups to see which ones I want to still be a member of and which ones I can leave.

Adulting

Adulting is one area I specifically want to be better at. I particularly want to be better at cleaning and cooking. During 2026, I will be trying to set a weekly cleaning schedule that has a to-do list of what needs to be done in each room of my apartment.

Self Care

2026 will be about getting back to the things that give me true joy and finding the right balance between adulting, work, and self-care. I will be returning to crafting in 2026 and plan on finishing the tree skirt. I realized during the November Creative Community Challenge, I didn’t like crafting every single day.

I will schedule days to craft each week so I can work on a craft project. As I work on crafting, I’ll continue to use the Focus Friend app and will be listening to podcasts. I’ll finish listening to Code Newbie as well as listening to The Diary of a Ceo and Mel Robbins.

I haven’t been doing a lot of reading over the past few years, so this year I’m going to try reading a little bit every day. I have a mix of reading apps and books I’ll be working my way through, so I’ll be reading something every day.