Hi Reader,
I'm not feeling rah-rah about the new year. But I am feeling something that's starting to resemble hope—maybe resolve. A slow thawing after months of shock.
I've written this newsletter less consistently than I'd hoped this year. I kept waiting to feel more certain, more energized, more something before showing up here. But the truth is, there's been so much bad news. So much upheaval. So much of what felt steady swept away.
And yet.
There's still so much good, when I'm willing to look for it.
One thing feels increasingly certain: community is what will see us through. Not the polished, perfect kind—but the messy, real kind, where we can show up as we are and know we're loved for it.
As 2025 wraps up, the world feels a bit too topsy-turvy hard to set definitive goals. I sense that what will carry us forward isn't hustle or perfection. Rather, it's knowing we have the right people with us to meet the moment.
Here's a question to ponder as we head into 2026...
What if we focused on what we want instead of what we should accomplish?
When I was talking with fellow Hive member Karen Nicholas recently, she told me about her approach to 2025. Karen's a communications pro and author of The Last Class. In addition to vision board of big audacious goals, she hopped on last year's TikTok trend and made a bingo card.
Small things. Concrete things. A mix of personal and professional. Things pulled from what she genuinely wanted—not what sounded impressive.
"It was oddly satisfying crossing things off," she told me. "I made all these big goals for years, and what was important in January wasn't important this December. The bingo card was different."
And that approach totally resonated. Because I still need structure (Type A, Enneagram 1)—but maybe the structure can be gentler. A bit more playful.
The details:
- A 5x5 grid gives you 25 squares
- Fill them with things you genuinely want (not things that sound impressive)
- Mix the mundane with the meaningful: "organize the linen closet" can live right next to "land 3 new speaking gigs"
- You're just trying to get a bingo—one row, one column
- Cross things off as you go throughout the year
Then I thought, why not do this together?
Sure, I could sit down with a blank grid and fill it in myself, but that sounds kind of lonely. I'd rather gather with people who are also figuring this out. We can toss out ideas, laugh at the random things we put on our cards, and maybe check in mid-year to celebrate the bingos.
Join us for The Hive's Bingo Card Party
Wednesday, January 7, 1-2pm EST
Let's start 2026 face to face (well, screen to screen) with a lively conversation about what we actually want.
What to bring:
- Yourself (no prep needed)
- An open mind about what "goals" can look like
- Maybe a mug of something warm
You'll walk away with:
- Your own personalized 2026 bingo card
- A simple Canva template to keep it handy all year
- Ideas from other people about what's possible
- Permission to make this year about enrichment, not just achievement
REGISTER HERE
This event is free and open to everyone—Hive members and friends. If you know someone who'd benefit from a different approach to 2026, share this with them.
Want to get started?
If you want to start thinking about what you actually want for 2026, here's something fun to try as the year wraps up:
Make a list of 100 desires.
I learned about this from leadership coach Tracey Gee (author of The Magic of Knowing What You Want). Fair warning: getting to 100 may take longer—and be harder—than you think. ;-)
The first 20 come easy. The next 30 make you dig deeper. And by 75, you're writing down things you didn't even realize you wanted.
Your bingo card only needs 25. So whether you tackle the full list or just show up on January 7 with a mug of coffee, I’m excited to hear about your list.
Here's to a 2026 that brings you more of what you actually want!
I hope to see you January 7.
Laura
P.S. The Hive is a community for curious, kind-hearted people building work that matters. We focus on enrichment over achievement, progress over perfection, and community over content. If that sounds like what you need right now, learn more here.