I really, truely, finally got back into reading this year, the way i loved reading when i was a preteen. I went from maybe reading one book a year, to spending hours a day reading - it’s now my primary hobby.
I’d finished reading THG:ballad of songbirds and snakes at the end of 2024 when someone at the bookstore recommended me The Picture of Dorian Grey. It took me a while, but I LOVED TPODG. Afterwards, I read Eggshell Skull. It wasn’t until July that I started demolishing books. Black Beauty in a week was impressive at the time, then Wuthering Heights in a week. Frankenstein in 4 days, all immediately following one another. Soon, a week without finishing a book became a “reading slump” to me. most of the books you see here were between july and december, so more like 6 months worth of reading than 12.
While I started with classics, I let myself have some fun with Twilight, enjoying something a bit easier to read. I’m still hoping I can finish Alchemised by new year, I’m getting through at least 50, often 100 pages a day. I think getting back into reading like this is my biggest achievement this year, as it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and something many people also want to do.
I don’t have a particular list of books I want to read in 2026, only that I want to finish what’s on my bookshelf before I buy anything new, with a few exceptions.
I left the country for the first time this year - or technically last year. I spent new years in Tokyo. I’m desperate to go back to HK/japan ever since. I’ve decided this time next year, I will be in HK, or potentially on a cruise ship.
I did poorly saving this year, though noticing that motivated me to make a change. Since November, I’ve been working more and spending less frivolously, relearning to deny myself some “sweet treats” (if they cost money. I always have some emergency treats at home). In 2026 I want to save up lots, especially if I want to travel again by the end of the year!
I (sort of) ate a lot healthier this year. Trying to manage my iron levels, and before I became pollo-pescatarian, I hadn’t eaten any deep-fried fast food or two minute noodles in months. I’m still trying to manage these things, although when i limited my options for protein so much, i find myself coming back to deep-fried fish or chicken more often - still rarely fast food though. I hope in 2026 I can discover lots of new recipes that are healthy, easy and without guilt for the industries involved in the ingredient list!
I took it slow studying this year, dropping the amount of classes I’m doing so i can focus more on the content. I don’t want to feel as though my electives are slipping away from me. Studying Animal law and Terrorism law changed so much about myself. I adopted pollo-pescatarianism after forcing myself to be exposed to the (legal) treatment of animals in slaughterhouses and farms, and Terrorism law taught me so so much valuable information about extremism, helping me understand what’s happening and what’s changing in the world around me. I’m so glad i decided to take it slow with these classes, because for once, this information will stick with me forever. I don’t care that it may not look good on my academic statement, and it may not look good that I take an extra year to finish law school, it’s worth it for myself. 2026, I want to keep savouring every class, and getting as much out of every week as possible!
I got into weekly planning/journaling this year, and I’m so glad. This will stick with me hopefully for the rest of my life, because it’s so incredibly useful. I struggled with a lot of health problems this year, and even just writing down what symptoms I experienced on what days, when i went to the doctor etc has helped so much. It also helped me keep track of my reading! I would have no idea which books were this year and which were last if not for writing it down!
Finally, some of my favourite photos I took in Infinity Nikki this year <3
