January Round-Up: Finding Focus, Hitting Goals and a Positive Start to 2026
Can you believe the first month of the year is over already? It feels like five minutes ago we were celebrating New Year’s Eve, and now we are heading rapidly towards spring.
I think January has been a really positive start to the year for me regarding my plans for 2026. I feel like I am in a good headspace and I’ve been feeling surprisingly productive, which is a great feeling to start the year with.
Here is a little look back at what I’ve been up to over the last few weeks.
Crafting
Over in my Facebook group, January’s theme was “Mushrooms”. I thought this was such an interesting and exciting theme, so I made sure to join in. I finally got around to making a design I’ve wanted to try for ages: whimsical mushrooms encapsulated inside a lightbulb. Looking ahead, February’s theme is “bookends”, which I am really excited to get started on.
Besides theme work, I just finished a commission for a Leeds Utd book this month, which I think came out really well.
And, of course, I’ve officially started my mammoth Pokémon 151 project! I’ve shared the first two books with the world already and the reaction has been so positive. I am absolutely loving this challenge and can’t wait to share more soon.
Photography
I have a confession to make here. It was such a cold and wet month that I didn’t take a single photograph. I know, I know, I could—and probably should—have found some subjects around the house and played around with some macro work, but truthfully, I just didn’t want to.
However, I have plans! I have trips lined up, specific subjects I want to capture, and some brand new editing software I am very excited to play around with. So, I promise there will actually be photographs in February’s round-up!
Real Life
January saw me finally do something I have been putting off for many years: I got my eyes tested. I am now officially a glasses wearer! It’s been very odd getting used to them over the last two weeks, and my un-aided vision feels very different now. I am struggling a little with them, so I plan to pop back to the opticians to chat about options, but overall they are working well.
My weight loss journey is also continuing really well. To date, I have lost just over 30lbs and I am finally really starting to notice the difference. My favourite pair of trousers will no longer stay up and jeans that I haven’t worn in years now fit! I have spent some time sorting through old clothes—the ones I kept for years “just in case”—and have started listing them on Vinted.
It might sound a little odd given that I am currently losing weight, but I am so excited about the prospect of going out shopping for new clothes. This might sound sad to some, but I am just so excited to be able to buy clothes from cheaper shops like Asda or Primark rather than having to deal with shopping in specialist larger people’s shops like Yours.
On the fun side, Marc and I had a great session playing “It Takes Two” on the Switch 2. It started quite sombrely, but it turned out to be a really fun co-op game. We thought we were nearing the end when we stopped for the night, but a quick bit of research revealed we are only about a third of the way through! I’m looking forward to our next session.
A look ahead to February
As I mentioned above, I will be working on turning some books into bookends for the group theme. This is something new for me, so hopefully, I can do the idea justice.
I also want to release the next two (or maybe three!) Pokémon in my 151 challenge. I had once hoped to make and release all 151 books in this 30th anniversary year but I’m realising that just isn’t feasible—I am just one person! I also really need to stop putting off the Pokédex challenge I set myself and get back to work on that, as I have a bit of work to do there.
Photography-wise, I have a couple of specific ideas I want to work on and I am going to make a conscious effort to get out with the camera.
I have had such a positive and productive start to 2026 and I really hope to continue that momentum into February.
Clare x
As a glasses wearer it took sometime for me to accept the need and to understand that I can see clearer now. My journey started while in my teens as my head was always in a book and I was struggling to see the words. Initially it was only when reading or working on my computer. Fast forward and now I wear them all time. Sometimes I fall asleep wearing them.
Your love for Pokémon is evident and your creativity with the books is incredible. You bring the images to life on the pages of books that are no longer needed/wanted.
You have achieved so much in your weight loss journey and should be applauded for your determination.
The winter months are sometimes difficult to be creative when it comes to photography. Whether you are experiencing rain, or snow such as us Canadians, we can’t seem to get beyond the dreary days. The sun will shine soon and no doubt you will be out and about.
Thank you for sharing. You may not think it is much but you are an inspiration.