We’ve made it halfway into 2026. How about that for a wake-up call? Time is flying by. Every time I sit down for one of these check-ins, life seems to be moving faster. I guess that feeling is universally experienced as we get older. In any case, here we are—wading into the sunshine and those long, open-ended days of summer.
Q2 2026
Brian and I aimed for an easy-going Q2 2026, and what do you know…we actually made it happen. April began with a single wisdom tooth extraction. I never had my wisdom teeth removed until this one, which had randomly grown in a few years ago.
This simple procedure kickstarted a month at home, allowing us the space to slow down. We spent our time outside, enjoying nearby trails, cleaning up the yard, and tending to our little garden. Slowly but surely, our black thumbs are becoming the tiniest bit green.
It was a noticeably quiet quarter, one that encouraged reflection and unhurried plans. In Fewer Trips, Better Experiences, I expressed our intention of exploring a slower-paced routine. Life gets crazy enough these days without us filling every open weekend.
Still, we sprinkled in a few adventures along the way. Between cozy homebody weekends, purposeful travel, and a commitment to our health, Q2 2026 offered exactly the kind of balance we had been craving after last year.
Here’s what we got into:
Travel
1. Escape to a starlit retreat and savor the night sky
If you haven’t already, feel free to check out our Moab post! We had an incredible week-long workcation in this stunning, red rock destination, balancing remote work with hiking and desert views. Our resort was ideally situated between two national parks, which gave us plenty of opportunities to explore at our own pace.
The city of Moab is a recognized Dark Sky Community, meaning local efforts are made to reduce light pollution and preserve the night sky. Combined with the surrounding desert landscape, it created some of the best stargazing we’ve ever experienced.
We ventured into Arches National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park, to quietly take in the stillness of a 2 a.m. starlit sky. This experience remains as one of our favorites from this trip.
2. Wander through 3 US National Parks
Thanks to our Moab trip, we’ve successfully visited 3 national parks this year! In February, we road-tripped to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where we discovered the only brewery in a United States National Park. From good eats and tasty brews to new trails and a much-appreciated thermal soak, our adventure in Hot Springs National Park was brief but well worth it.
In Moab, we wrapped up our national park challenge with visits to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. By the end of our week-long workcation, we had hiked over 25 miles across seven different trails. It was a magical experience, and while we had originally hoped to cover a bit more ground, we also knew we didn’t want to rush through our days. Could we have pushed for more mileage? Probably. In the end, though, we were happier with slow and steady.
Finance
3. Take practical advantage of the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card benefits
This one was a doozy for me. I’d say we completed this experience, though it took serious time and compromise. In hindsight, I’m glad I framed this as “taking practical advantage,” because some of these benefits just don’t apply to us.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve revamped its benefits last year, offering a mix of upgrades best-suited for elevated travel and luxury experiences. Truthfully, it’s no longer the well-rounded travel card it once was; it’s now more of a luxury lifestyle card with a $795 annual fee. Ouch.
We’ve made use of the travel, hotel, and dining credits, but the StubHub credits never really fit into our plans. I don’t foresee us using them, as StubHub is a secondary marketplace and is often more expensive than purchasing directly from official vendors. We also aren’t using several other perks, including discounts for Lyft, DoorDash, and Peloton.
We’ve found that, even with the benefits we do use, we’re sometimes spending money we otherwise wouldn’t spend in order to maximize their value. Honestly, I’m just grateful that we’re currently grandfathered in with our old annual fee.
The new annual fee hits in a few months, at which point we’ll remove the authorized user card ($195). Because we have a credited hotel reservation in the fall, we must hold onto the primary card for another year. I’m planning to request a retention offer, so we’ll see what happens. Fingers crossed!
Ultimately, as of right now, we are not convinced the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the right travel card for us anymore. Stay tuned.
4. Update our estate plans
We initially drew up our estate plans within the first year of our marriage. I’m one of those Type A gals with a penchant for logistics and backup plans. In my mind, if I’m legally bound to you, best make it organized, documented, and airtight for any just-in-case scenarios!
Estate plans should be updated after major life events. We’ve had a couple of those, so it was high time to revisit ours. Updating everything allowed us to step back, reassess, and adjust our plans so that they match our current reality. Even though this experience is more or less housekeeping, it still feels exciting and worth celebrating.
Health
5. Go vegetarian for one full month
Following a vegetarian diet is much more convenient than it was years ago. With so much variety on the market, it’s easier than ever to eat well without feeling limited. From plant-based “meats” and menus full of vegetarian options, Brian and I had no issues with our April diet.
Honestly, I’d say we’d probably been training for vegetarianism for quite a while. We’ve cut down on meat-based meals over the last couple of years mainly due to cost. So, going vegetarian for a month really wasn’t all that difficult!
6. Spend 30 consecutive days outside every day, even for a short time
Whether we were hanging out on the balcony, hiking different trails, or taking care of our garden, outdoor time was a piece of cake this season.
Admittedly, our plants played a big role in getting us outside everyday. What began as a few hopeful baby transplants has slowly turned into a hobby that keeps us tracking, pruning, and watering. We have plenty to learn, but it’s been a fun process that’s given us a teeny boost of confidence in our ability to keep things alive.
7. Complete a custom P90X workout schedule with alternating weeks of weights and cardio
For the past 6 years, P90X has been a consistent part of our routine. Brian and I typically kick off the year with a custom workout schedule., finishing up before April. This year, however, our custom workout was not our friend!
We quickly burned ourselves out with a full week of weights followed by a full week of pure cardio. It was tough to keep going, especially since we’re used to a mix of cardio and weights spread throughout the week. Add to the exhaustion the reality of navigating a difficult family loss, and our usual determination was harder to tap into.
With time and a little perspective, we were able to regroup and get back on track. I’m glad we stuck with it, because now we know this kind of custom workout just isn’t the best fit for us.
Community
8. Support local creators by purchasing directly from them
So far, Brian and I have enjoyed a few beers from local breweries, as well as wines from independent wineries and vineyards throughout our travels. We’ve also picked up artisan gifts and journals from Atlanta artists.
I plan to continue supporting local makers and creatives throughout the year
It’s costlier than standard, mass-produced goods, but knowing the purchase directly supports someone’s passion and livelihood makes it feel worthwhile.
Connection
9. Visit friends across the country to celebrate their new homes
Good times with good people is a life mantra that continues to guide how I spend my time. This year, we took the opportunity to celebrate friends in California and New Jersey as they settled into new homes.
Between touring wine country and attending Katie Holmes’ world premiere of Happy Hours at the 25th Tribeca Festival, Brian and I had plenty of fun along the way. More importantly, though, we were excited to visit our friends and celebrate their new chapters.
We’re thankful for the friendships that remain despite distance, busy schedules, and life changes. Life is short. Whether we’re grabbing dinner or popping by for a quick hello, even if it’s across the country, showing up for one another matters.
Q2 2026 Wrap-Up
It’s halfway through the year, and I can’t help but think about how Brian and I imagined we would be further along on our 52 Experiences list by now. Life, of course, had other plans.
Instead of cramming as much as possible into our days, we took a slower pace this quarter. We spent time outdoors, tackled a few personal goals, explored incredible national parks, and enjoyed plenty of quiet days at home.
With six months left in the year, we have time to make progress on our experiences. For now, we’re taking it easy, embracing quiet moments at home and time with friends and family. Q2 2026 felt like an intentional reset from last year’s craziness. Thank. Goodness!
How is your year going so far? Are you finding yourself on pace with your goals, or slowing down in ways you didn’t anticipate?
