I think it’s always good to have direction; life will undoubtedly throw some curveballs, but a sense of direction keeps you moving when it’s hard to tell what’s up or down. Brian and I set our sights high this past quarter. In Q1 2026, we were eager to make serious progress on our list of 52 Experiences. From community events to hiking trails and home projects, we had a focused agenda, a roadmap of sorts, to guide our plans for the year.
Aaaaannnd, as we all know, plans don’t always work out.
Q1 2026
Q1 2026 began with a steadying ease into the new year. We were just finding our footing after riding out the hectic final stretch of 2025. As Brian and I focused on improving sleep, finding restful healing, and piecing together this year’s travel plans, unexpected news came our way. We suddenly found ourselves managing complicated grief, last-minute travel, and work stress. Combined with sleepless nights, it’s fair to say we faced a challenging first quarter.
Still, we pivoted. Though we didn’t achieve what we originally set out to do, we stayed flexible and let our road map realistically lead the way. Sometimes, life goes sideways. In these moments, having a sense of direction, a defined purpose, gives us perspective and reminds us of what’s really important.
Here are our Q1 2026 highlights:
Travel
1. Take off on a weeklong road trip
If you didn’t catch our last post, we recently wrapped up a successful 10-day road trip through Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. We hadn’t explored that part of the country yet, and Brian and I thought it’d be a fun challenge to do it all in one trip.
Of course, we didn’t account for back-to-back travel, as Brian had just returned from a last-minute trip that nearly had him stuck in a blizzard! Despite our rushed and exhausted state of mind, we pressed on with the road trip. Life is short, and we wanted to make the most of our adventure, even if we were a little tired along the way.
All in all, we had a great time venturing from one city to the next. We really met some of the kindest, most welcoming people on this trip. The folks out in Wichita, specifically, were incredibly down to earth and friendly! From local interactions to good food and great hikes, we discovered all kinds of reasons to come back for a visit.
2. Complete a coastal hike
We were lucky to catch up with some friends in California, who met us for a hike! The gorgeous Mori Point Trail in Pacifica hugs the coastline, rising to an elevation of 400 feet. We started the hike on a paved stretch that runs alongside a community memorial garden that began as a 9/11 tribute by a local resident. Now, it’s a public space where anyone can adopt and care for their own plots, adding their personal touch to this peaceful spot.
As we continued, the trail opened up to rolling green hills that led to the bluffs, looking down on Rockaway Beach. We climbed up the rocky dirt path and were greeted with uninterrupted views of the Pacific. Though the inclines can be a bit of a workout in certain areas, they never felt overly strenuous. Honestly, if we had more time, we could have easily spent the whole afternoon exploring Mori Point; there are so many random side trails to wander.
Entertainment
3. Tour a historic or architecturally significant building
A self-guided tour through Boston Avenue United Methodist Church offered a serene stop during our time in Tulsa. Co-designed by artist and teacher Adah Robinson and architect Bruce Goff, this stunning example of Art Deco architecture was built in 1929. It is a National Historic Landmark and an international United Methodist Historic Site.
While many Methodist churches of that era reflected traditional Gothic or classic styles, this building boldly embraced modern design. It immediately drew us in with its striking vertical lines, geometric details, and sculptural elements. Stepping inside, we wandered through the main shared spaces, all of which carried the same level of architectural creativity and religious symbolism.
Before entering the sanctuary, we found ourselves in the Great Hall. This long corridor is anchored by two large mosaics, each weighing 3,000 pounds and comprised of a quarter-million tiles. The sunlight filtered through the colorful stained glass throughout the building, guiding us into the sanctuary. Once inside, Brian and I took a seat and listened to the organ player practicing. We sat quietly, taking in the semicircular layout and the beautiful mosaic behind the choir loft. It’s truly a beautiful piece of architecture.
Health
4. Try a full week of guided meditation every morning
I’ll admit, guided meditation was a bit of a nonstarter initially. We first tried it through Boho Beautiful Meditation but couldn’t stick with it. Their delivery and flow just didn’t work for us. In the end, we found that Lavendaire’s videos were a better fit. Her calm, steady delivery made it easy to stay present; there’s no unnecessary fluff, just a straightforward, guided space to sit and breathe.
Her meditations range from quick 5-minute resets to longer 20-minute sessions. Brian and I started listening to them after our morning workouts, using that time to slow down before jumping into the rest of the day.
5. Soak in mineral waters for a little self-care refresh
One of the most relaxing moments from our road trip was our visit to Quapaw Baths in Hot Springs, AR. In the midst of hectic schedules and little sleep, soaking in the mineral-rich thermal pools felt amazing. It wasn’t an extravagant experience, just a simple communal thermal spring with four different pools of varying temperatures.
We left feeling refreshed and already talking about our next hot spring experience. A little mineral soak might just become a recurring thing for us this year!
Home
6. Plant an herb garden
Only time will tell if anything dies on us! Unfortunately, we are notorious for our black thumbs. Nonetheless, we have high hopes that we can keep something alive! We planted rosemary, basil, thyme, and citronella. Additionally, we took a stab at heirloom tomatoes and two different kinds of peppers.
I wasn’t always a hopeless black thumb. In fact, I used to have thriving pots of citronella and lavender at the townhouse. When we moved, they died, and I never tried to revitalize them. It’s been a few years now, so maybe a “newbie gardening comeback” is in the cards. With a little love, sunshine, and time, I’m hopeful these living things can flourish under our care.
7. Replace exterior outlet covers and fill in brick mortar
Speaking of when we moved, here’s another to-do we let fall by the wayside! Brian and I were able to get our closing costs covered due to a number of repairs needed on our home, one of which included the replacement of our exterior outlet covers.
We finally tackled this long-awaited task! It was a simple fix, and it felt good to finally check it off the list. While we were at it, we also took the time to fill in some of the brick mortar in the areas that needed it. These kinds of projects aren’t super pressing or exciting, but they help keep everything in good shape over time.
Q1 2026 Wrap-Up
Q1 2026 wasn’t about cramming experiences into an already full and complicated season. Trust me, the Type A in me is having a tough time accepting that we didn’t have the time we thought we would. But rather than forcing things into place, we simply did the best we could with what we had.
This quarter was really about letting go. Letting go of timelines, of expectations, and of how we imagined certain moments might go. Life doesn’t fit neatly into a plan, and we know this. So we move forward with a sense of openness, a flexibility that prioritizes fundamental peace and clarity.
We’re carrying cautious optimism as we step into the next quarter; a hope for lightness and energy to explore the experiences we’ve been looking forward to!
I hope all of you have had a wonderful start to the year, even if it hasn’t gone quite as planned. What has 2026 taught you so far?
