I don’t normally make New Year’s resolutions. By default, they tend to be hollow promises made to feel better about ourselves that are discarded in just a few weeks. But this year feels different. 2025 was a year that proved to be exceptionally rough politically, socially, and even creatively. Because of that, I feel the need to set attainable, positive goals for 2026.
A Little Background
I recently began writing once again after a far too long of a hiatus. It was something I used to do for a living (and I was pretty good at it if I can brag). My website once had an average of 100k visitors monthly. Working for other digital and print magazines, I made a decent living. I would host events of all kinds around the Hoboken/NYC area. I wrote stories and made music. And then, in 2011, I gave it all up to attempt running a small cafe.
While I was able to retain a certain connection to art and music in that role, it became much more local, much more niche. I no longer wrote broadly about cultural happenings, I concentrated on events at my own cafe. I wrote more about the food and coffee than anything else. I spent time trying to innovate recipes rather than review songs. Now don’t get me wrong, that was highly rewarding in itself but I eventually burned out of the restaurant business in 2023. Which lead to a two year search for myself.
And Here We Are
That search has landed me — philosophically at least — right where I began back in the late 80s/early 90s. Filled with the desire to discover and share new art and music with the masses. To write poetry, prose, and stories. To create small pieces of collage art and (perhaps) some new music. So, here is my working list of resolutions for 2026 meant to jumpstart my creativity and (hopefully) provide entertainment and inspiration for readers.
- Discover new music.
- Discover new art.
- Game the social algorithms to help with steps 1 & 2.
- Go out to more events.
- Travel.
- Write everyday.
- Read everyday.
- Make art/music.
- SHARE IT ALL!
So, there it is. Here’s to a better year in 2026. I’ll be posting here on my website, Substack, and my socials. Subscribe to my Substack . . . follow my socials . . . and share your work with me. Let’s grow together.
