It’s February, so yeah, this is a little later than intended, but hey! It’s still a fresh new year!
January was an unplug and reset kind of month, so I’m still getting back into the routine of posts and things. It was a good way to start the year with prayer and refocusing after a chaotic Christmas season.
As seems to be my new usual per the last few years, I’m not sure what’s in store for 2026! But I’m here for the ride!
If you missed it, check out the unofficial “Part I” post, 2025 Wrap Up. The posts are independent of each other, but they do go hand in hand. You can also find the reading specific wrap up here if you’re interested!
We focus on intentionality here – living on purpose for a purpose – so we take time to regularly look back, reflect, and assess our journey. We like setting goals, in submission to and with flexibility for God’s intervention.
Let’s steward our time, resources, and focus well and tackle 2026 on purpose!
Reading Goals
Reading is one of my favorite areas to set goals in. Perhaps it’s the freshness of a new year, but I feel good about reading this year and I’m excited to set some goals!
I’ve gotten a better sense of the rhythm of work reads with personal reads, so I should be able to roll with those denser seasons and still meet my overall goals. I have projects booked throughout the year where I know – for the most part – which months will be editing-heavy (and consequently, reading-light). There are sure to be some surprises along the way, but I believe it’s going to be a good reading year!
My Goodreads Reading Challenge goal this year is 75 books.
The last couple of years I’ve set the annual goal a little lower and ended up bumping it up. They were transitional years and I was still feeling out the new season, but this is the first year that feels like it might be a little more normal (Lord, please!) again.
Subgoals include 12 nonfiction books (an average of one a month), at least 4 of which should be devotionals or Bible studies.
Unfortunately, I didn‘t read any Keeper of the Lost Cities books last year like I’d planned, so I’m renewing that goal with the aim of getting through 3 or more of them this year.
I’m also batting around the idea of rereading either the Magic Tree House series or maybe the Animorphs (this one would be more likely if I can convince my youngest brother to buddy read them with me).
Our fourth annual Reading Challenge is underway! You can find all the details for the 2026 Bookopoly Reading Challenge here! It’s not too late to join or invite your friends! We’re playing through a customized Bookopoly board for prize points to redeem fun bookish prizes at the end of the year, complete with giveaways, reading trackers and other resources, monthly support, and all the book chat shenanigans!
A few books I hope to prioritize this year:
- Of Dawn and Embers by Gillian Bronte Adams
- The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin
- Persuasion by Jane Austen
- and some as of yet undecided rereads
What about you? What is your top 2026 reading goal?
GraceBought Goals
GraceBought turns 8 this month! *cue wild dancing* years old! Every year when we pause to do this post, I’m amazed by the community of bloggers, readers, and friends who join our GraceBought family. Thank you! You guys are a blessing to me and I pray this small corner of the internet can be a blessing to you in some way.
We survived the transition year to the new website! Whoot whoot! Most things are up and running the way they’re supposed to be, so this year we’ll be focusing on small updates and expansions. I’m working on creating a Resources page and the Book Review Indexes need a little TLC.
Long long ago in a blog far far away, GraceBought used to have Writing updates and I may or may not be considering bringing those back to the table. *cue suspicous side eyes* If that’s something you guys would be interested in…let me know!
Speaking of, GraceBought is our home! So, if there’s something you’d like to see more of, drop a comment!
Writing Goals
The last couple of years have been very writing thin. Honestly, it’s been a bit of a writing drought. It began as a result of some major life change, and then turned into a season of putting out fires and then taking time to heal. With so much upheaval, transition, and grief to process, writing wasn’t the first priority. And then, when things settled down enough to sit down at the desk again, writing was difficult for the first time in my life.
I’ve missed writing. I’ve wanted to get back into it. And every time I tried, it felt like squeezing the last dying drops out of an already used up lemon.
I co-wrote a couple of spoofy short stories (that I enjoyed and I’m proud of!) for the Reading Challenge, and I tinkered here and there with a few scenes or tidbits of my own. But nothing has seemed to work.
I spent a lot of time in prayer, searching and seeking God’s direction, movement, and hand.
There have been small steps. Part of this is that I’m out of practice and I’ve got to build the muscles back up. I went from thousands of words a day to a very jarring, complete stop. Last year I dipped my toes in and took some baby steps. And so far this year, I feel like those writing muscles are starting to get stronger.
Much of 2025 was focused on the business side of my writing goals – shifting GraceBought to a permanent, paid website, launching the Reading Challenge email list, and stretching my education muscles. I read a few writing craft books and worked a writing conference. I’ve been listening to writing podcasts, attending webinars, and taking online writing courses again. I’m just now starting to plug back into a few small writing communities. I’m talking about and brainstorming story ideas with my closest friends and family again. And just in the few months, I’ve written three short stories and a couple of chapters for a novel.
Baby steps.
Admittedly, I feel hopeful for writing this year. But I’m still a little gunshy to set a measurable writing goal in terms of word count or drafting. I want to pursue writing with God’s blessing in His timing and in a healthy way. There’s still some grief to sort through, especially with some particular stories, and there’s still the need to rebuild the discipline and habit back up. But overall, for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful.
I started a new course that I’m hoping to keep up with throughout the year, which includes more writing craft books, podcasts, and short story exercises. My current plan is to go at my own pace, but short stories are usually small enough committments that I think I can make some good progress this year. And who knows, maybe I can make progress on this new novel idea too 🙂
A few other quick pieces: I’m hoping to attend the Realm Maker’s Conference again this year, Lord willing! And I’ve been working on a new nonfiction eBook I hope to finish edits on and share with you this year! It’s the first time I’ve done a nonfiction project like this before and it kind of just spilled out, so stay tuned!
In the meantime, don’t miss the updated free Cinderella Retelling Guide with a list of 34+ retellings!
Personal Goals
My primary focus in personal goals is on doing everything in my power to get consistent, quality sleep each night. Health issues have been an ongoing battle for the last few years and chronic insomnia and fatigue is a real pain in the behind. Poor sleep makes it difficul to focus on or do literally anything else. I’m back to the basics in this season. Eat well, sleep the best I can, and incorporate daily movement.
I’m continuing to work on and serve clients in the editing and coaching business and still attending and serving my church regularly in several areas. I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve as a music librarian there and in the orchestra. In the past year, God has answered my prayer for in person community in some beautiful ways. It’s been a delight to connect with new friends and reconnect with a few old ones, too! So my plan is to continue to pour into my community here and to strive to be faithful with what’s been placed right in front of me in this season.
For 2025, I’d worked on moving some recipes on random scraps of paper into a book to hold them all together. I got a good ways into that and then set it aside, so I may be able to work on that a little more this year, too. It’s been fun to prepare nostalgic dishes (just made my grandmother’s cheesy veggie soup this week!) as well as to experiment with new ones!
I’m learning the importance of slowing down and being present. And the alluring dangers of stuffing every moment of every day to the max with no margin. Resting doesn’t mean you are wasting your time, poorly stewarding your life, or neglecting your potential. Do things with intentionality, even rest 😉
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Annnd enough about me! What about your goals? What are your hopes and dreams for the year? And how can I be praying over your 2026?
Share below and let me know!
May your 2026 brim with countless blessings for y and those you love. I hope the beginning has been a breath of fresh air so far.
Here’s to another year with GraceBought! It is my sincerest hope that you can find something here that makes you smile and encourages or helps you. Thank you for walking with me. Let’s go 2026!
Love always,
Coralie