I originally wanted to start the year off with a “Happy Things” post, because IT’S A NEW YEAR!, and didn’t we all agree on leaving the shitty things behind in 2025 and start this new year fresh and with a much better outlook? Well, the last week did not lend itself to that. Ugh.
I know, I know, the Happy Things posts are supposed to help focus on the happy things and help us be more aware of the happy moments that we, privileged as we are, surely experience every week (first cup of coffee, anyone? Sunshine? A (virtual) walk with friends?), and maybe I’ll try this again next week, but this week it has been really hard to distract myself from reality.
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We don’t need to talk about the news. It keeps being heavy and disturbing. I said it before, but I don’t know how to live and exist in a world where we’re supposed to go about our daily lives, go to work, do our chores, take care of ourselves, all the while the world is falling apart around us. I am living in a constant state of emotional dissonance these days. How are you holding up?
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Let me just say: I also do not need more changes in my life. I do not do well with change. Not at the beginning of this new year, 2026. But here we are: more upheaval.
I found out earlier this week that I will be switching research groups again and that I will get a new supervisor yet again. The research group I am currently in will be dissolved. I knew that changes were coming (they’ve been talking about reorganizing in our center for a while because of all the people we lost last year), but I was not prepared to be presented with a fait accompli on the first work day of 2026, changes effective immediately. (I totally googled that expression; it was not in my vocabulary.) I am trying to be open-minded about this change. There will be more growing pains, but maybe it turns out to be a positive thing. Fingers crossed.
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On a positive note, I found out today that my mom signed up for a gym membership (at the gym that my sister, niece, and nephew go to). I must admit that I had been pestering her a little bit since last fall that she should seriously consider adding a little bit of strength and mobility training to her week. My mom is 76 and still pretty fit. She has a walking buddy, and they walk multiple miles a few times per week, but we all know that a little strength training is important too, as we age. She was reluctant at first, almost defiant.
I don’t know what it is and why (the collective) *we* are always a little reluctant when people give well-meaning advice, but she came around and (apparently) made a New Year’s resolution. I couldn’t be more thrilled. I want her to be around for a long, long time. (And in case you were going to ask, ‘what about your dad’? He’s not a walker (so he does not walk with my mom), but he’s had a gym membership for a long time, and he plays tennis a few times a week and also golfs occasionally. So no complaints there.
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We are going to see Trae Crowder tonight. I am so excited. I snatched tickets last fall, and now the day is finally here. We don’t go out a ton these days, so having this on the calendar has been something to look forward to! There were a couple of happy things to report after all!
How was your first full week of 2026?
Michelle G.
January 9, 2026 at 6:14 pmOh, San, what a shock to have your job instantly changed like that. I hope it’ll end up being a good thing, but it just seems rude that they couldn’t give a little notice. Aside from the news, my first full week of 2026 was quite pleasant. The weather has been amazing and it’s one of the slower times of year on the ranch.
San
January 10, 2026 at 2:54 pmThank you, Michelle. I am trying to have a positive attitude about the work changes. And I am happy to hear your had a pretty pleasant week :)
Sara
January 10, 2026 at 2:01 amSo happy and proud of your mom. Maybe she can call mine and give some advice – both for the walking and the strength and mobility training? ;)
I came down with a really terrible cold that has lasted for the week. I have come to the realization that my body is definitely in fight-or-flight mode in preparation for what is going to be a really terrible spring for my job… given… everything, everywhere, all the time. I haven’t been able to get out, work out, or do anything beyond meditation really… which hasn’t been great on my mental state this week. I was so pleased with how I was ending the year, and this is definitely not how I wanted to go into the New Year.
I’m sorry to hear about the big changes at your job. That’s definitely not the way to start the New Year either. I wish for good things, a good supervisor, and a smooth transition for you. I think we’re going to continue to see a lot of re-orgs, given the state of all the complexity right now… so continue to take care of yourself and find positive ways to manage that stress. (I should take my own advice, hmm?)
San
January 10, 2026 at 2:55 pmOh no, I am so sorry you came down with a cold. Such terrible timing at the beginning of the year, although it seems to go around right now. And our immune system is already weekend by all the stress that we’ve been under. I can only imagine what a chaotic year it has been for you, too. I hope you feel better!
Coco
January 10, 2026 at 4:32 amHoray for your mom to get a gym memberships I tried to tell my mom the same but she doesn’t listen. I can only push so far to a 75 years old.
Sorry about another change to come at the start of 2026. Sometimes changes are good to keep us busy and learn something new.
San
January 10, 2026 at 2:56 pmOh, I know, it’s hard pushing your parents (esp. at that age). I am keeping an open mind about the work changes.
SHU
January 10, 2026 at 4:58 amHoping the changes will be better than expected!!
I had a similar conversation with my mom. She even talked about potentially joining the local YMCA. I REALLY hope she does!! (And my dad, too, for that matter!)
San
January 10, 2026 at 2:57 pmThank you, I am trying to keep a positive attitude. And fingers are crossed that both your mom and dad decide to invest in their health this year! :)
Nicole MacPherson
January 10, 2026 at 7:22 amWoof, that’s a lot of upheaval – and also terrible news – in the first week of a new year. I’m sorry there is so much change for you right now. It’s a lot.
I wish my mom would do…literally anything. She mostly stays home and smokes a lot. My brother was just visiting there and it seems like she’s not moving well. It’s hard when we are so far away, isn’t it, but also, my mother would never in a million years take advice from me, so here we are.
San
January 10, 2026 at 2:58 pmThank you friend. I just wish all this negative stuff would just stop – for all of us!
I am sorry to hear that your mom is not taking care of yourself. It’s hard to say something and advice from someone close is always – for whatever reason – more easily rejected than if it came from a stranger. Maybe we’ll have to find a stranger to talk to your mom.
Daria
January 10, 2026 at 9:19 amI DO NOT do well with change, no matter how positive. Or negative.
That’s a lot, San, I’m sorry you are dealing with it.
My week was good- I joined the YMCA and have been using their facilities like their gym, pool, and cycling class. That cycling class was amazing albeit I was very nervous. Turned out, no need to be. There were people of various ages and body compositions. Some sucked at much as me LOL but at the end I felt great.
My hope if that, with this external accountability I would turn around my dislike of exercise. Wish me luck! :)
San
January 10, 2026 at 3:00 pmI am relieved to hear someone else is struggling with change – positive or negative! I wish it would be easier.
But: I am so happy to hear you joined a gym! I remember that first cycling class that I went to (also at the gym in 2018?!) and I was so intimidated at first and so selfconscious… until I realized NOBODY really cares what others look like on the bike. Everybody is there on their own journey! I truly hope you’ll find some joy in these exercise classes! That is how I got into spinning and running!
Lisa’s Yarns
January 11, 2026 at 3:48 amOh no. More change. I am so sorry, San! The hits just keep coming, don’t they? This has been a sad, heavy week in my community and I am just so done.
That is great about your mom!! My mom also started to do so exercise class geared toward women her age (she’s 77) that includes a lot of strength moves. I am so glad she is doing it. She has osteopenia so really needs to be doing strength training. I was sidelined from strength training for much of 2025 between surgery on my hand and my burns. But I am really committed to doing it in 2026 and am off to a great start!
Ernie
January 11, 2026 at 10:05 amIt stinks that your work is gonna insist on changing things up. That sounds hard, but fingers crossed that it ends up working out in your favor.
My mom and dad have always been big walkers (or at least in the last 20 years). Coach treated my dad decades ago when he hurt his back. He still does his exercises and coach is thrilled. Before Christmas, my dad fell on his bedroom floor bending over to get a book. He hit his arm on something and it bled a little. The wound has not fully healed but it is improving. Anyway Coach was impressed that my 85.5 year old dad managed to get up off the floor by himself. I hope your mom sticks with it.
kim
January 11, 2026 at 2:24 pmUgh, 🤞🤞 things work out with the new team. What a shocking way to start the year.
NGS
January 11, 2026 at 4:45 pmI hope that everything goes well at work. Work stress is the worst. I hope it settles down!
Things have not been awesome, to be honest. I have a co-worker who is in the middle of cancer treatment and just found out that another co-worker has to start chemo soon for a recurrence of his cancer. I’m sort of tapped out emotionally and struggling to keep things going. Hopefully this is not the start of more bad health news for people around me.
K @ TS
January 12, 2026 at 5:54 amI am so glad that your Mom signed up for the gym! Sometimes they need to find the inspiration on their own time. I got my Mom a fitbit about 10 (?) years ago and was not sure if she would use it, but now, 10 years later, she has bought new ones and knows her exact mileage for the year for the past 10 years, and happily! I am so glad that she liked it and uses it, as I also want her to be around for a long time. Sometimes you just have to find the right tool or method. I hope that your Mom finds some fun in the gym!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
January 14, 2026 at 11:35 pmWhat a crap start work wise. I am sorry the unsteady, chaos continues. But who knows what it is good for in the long run. Fingers crossed.
My year started with me being sick and I am still recovering. So I didnt really start relaxed and rejuvenated but the minute I got better work started. And I have inherited too many to-dos from 2025. Sigh.
On a better note the husband and I will be going to an NBA game tonight – his Christmas present. It’s gonna be so much fun.
Anne
February 1, 2026 at 12:37 pmOh, San. Change at work sucks. And you have had more than your fair share of change and uncertainty for the last year+, now. I hope that it is a positive change – and, if not, at least neutral. :(
I’m so glad, though, that your mom is going to the gym. My mom goes and has maintained her physical abilities even though she is going to be… oh, gosh, 78 in March. My dad has back problems but is hoping to get back to the gym this year, too. Worrying long-distance is hard, isn’t it? Sending hugs. <3