A Gentle Reset: What I’m Leaving Behind—and What I’m Carrying Into 2026

As this year comes to a close, I’ve been thinking less about what I accomplished and more about what I’m ready to carry forward—and what I’m ready to gently set down.

2025 asked a lot of me. As a business owner. As a mother. As a woman still learning how to listen to her body and honor her limits. Instead of rushing into the new year with big declarations, I’m choosing something quieter: clarity, intention, and alignment.

A Business That Looks Different—And Feels More Like Me

In June of this year, I closed my physical studio and transitioned Candle Studio 1422 to a fully online business. It was not a decision made lightly. That space held so many memories—classes, conversations, creativity, and community—but it was time for a shift that better supported both my business and my life.

Since then, I’ve spent time refining what truly works.

My fundraising program has become more focused and intentional, allowing schools, teams, and families to raise meaningful funds without added stress. I even had a lovely couple run a fundraiser for a domestic adoption. I am looking ahead to expanding my wholesale business, partnering with retailers who value quality, simplicity, and small business camaraderie..

One thing I was especially excited to bring back this year was our candle-making kits—giving people the opportunity to slow down, create, and make candles at home, on their own schedule. Creativity doesn’t need a studio to exist; sometimes it just needs a quiet moment at the kitchen table.

Looking Ahead: Growth, Education, and a Clearer Vision

As I move into 2026, I’m excited about growth—but not growth for the sake of being busy.

I’m beginning the process of rebranding Candle Studio 1422 to better reflect the vision I’ve been carrying for a long time: modern, clean, calm, and intentional. A brand that feels like an exhale.

I’m also to grow The Soy Candle Mentor, a space dedicated to supporting new and aspiring candle makers who want clear guidance without overwhelm. Education, transparency, and encouragement will be at the heart of that work—and I’m especially looking forward to relaunching The Soy Candle Mentor Podcast in the coming year.

In addition, I’ve started hosting candle-making classes at the Center for the Creative Arts in Hockessin, running from December through February. This season will be a time of learning and evaluation—seeing what resonates, what feels sustainable, and whether in-person classes continue to have a place alongside everything else.

More Systems, Less Stress (Especially with Teenagers in the House)

One of my biggest intentions for 2026 is building better systems—not just in business, but in life.

2025 was a particularly challenging year for me as a mother, largely because I’m in the thick of raising teenagers. As they grow into their independence (and develop very strong opinions about everything), I’m constantly adjusting—learning when to step in, when to step back, and when to remind myself that eye rolls are not, in fact, a personal attack.

Balancing work, business, family, and emotional bandwidth often felt heavy this year. Teenagers will humble you quickly, usually before 7 a.m. I’m being honest with myself about what needs to change. I want more support. I want clearer structure. And I want systems that reduce daily stress—for all of us.

Better systems means clearer boundaries, and more presence where it matters most.

Choosing Self-Care Without Guilt

On a deeply personal level, 2026 is about self-care and health—not as a trend, but as a necessity.

As a cardiac arrest survivor, I’m continually reminded that my health is not something I can keep pushing to the bottom of the list. Caring for my body, managing stress, and honoring rest are not optional. They are part of how I show up—for my family, my work, and myself.

Candles have symbolized that pause for me. A small ritual. A reminder to slow down. A moment of calm in the middle of everything else. That meaning feels more important than ever.

Carrying Forward What Matters

As I step into the new year, I’m not chasing perfection. I’m choosing alignment. I’m choosing to build a business—and a life—that supports who I am now, not who I thought I had to be.

If you’re entering 2026 feeling tired, hopeful, cautious, or quietly optimistic, you’re not alone. My hope is that this year brings more ease, more support, and more moments that feel like home.

Cheers to a gentle reset—and to carrying forward what truly matters.