Less 6–7, More Rizz: A Dope Year-End Reflection

I meant to write this before the holiday rush, but here we are, mid-holiday. And honestly? This feels right. #LessHolidayStress

I’d like to think the extra breathing room makes this reflection less 6–7, more rizz, and still totally dope. #TeenMom #TeenCringe

My aim is simple…share something

Honest + Helpful, True + Transparent, Festive + Fun.

Quick aside: Dictionary.com named “6–7” its 2025 word of the year, meaning purposefully nonsensical and in on the absurdity. Think “so-so,” “maybe,” “maybe not,” or “nothing at all.” Absurdity is in.

THE HONEST PART

A note on perfectionism, pressure, and letting good enough be enough.

The pressure to create a swoon-worthy year-end recap was/is REAL.

After reading several inspiring reflections, I wanted mine to be polished, profound, and perfectly timed. But this year, I realized a scaled-back version and gentler timeline were necessary.

Still, that perfectionist voice is loud. She’s persuasive. She’s relentless.

How hard is it for you to loosen your own expectations?

That need to “do it right” according to… whom exactly?

Letting go of external benchmarks and being honest with myself (and with you) feels freeing. #ProgressOverPolish.

THE HELPFUL PART

Momentum loves community.

With the recent completion of my latest Get It Done! Decluttering & Accountability Club (GiD), I felt genuinely energized hearing about participants’ progress. From deleting thousands of emails, decluttering closets, organizing office paper piles, prioritizing 2026 plans, and managing empty-nest transitions, the GiD group made shit happen.

Gathering online in a small, supportive group to focus on specific projects is insanely powerful and surprisingly fun - I promise you.

When you’re juggling multiple passions, jobs, and life responsibilities, having a safe place to focus on what matters most is everything.

Fellow Portfolioists thrive here. Add uplifting music, thoughtful Q&A, compassionate accountability, and a plethora (my favorite word of 2025) of wins, and meaningful progress follows.

To keep that momentum going, I’ll be leading a winter GiD cohort on Mondays, 7:30–9:00 pm EST, January 26 – February 23, 2026.  Join us!

THE TRUE PART

Life as a Portfolioist: exhilarating, evolving, exhausting.

Life and career as a full-fledged, multiple-hat-wearing, glass-half-full Portfolioist is exciting and often exhausting. People ask me, “How do you do it?” My honest answer: “I’m not totally sure.”

My brain senses a need, then an opportunity, and decides yes or no. I get into trouble with the maybes and the yeses that should have been nos. Progress over perfection, right?

Reflecting on 2025, these are a few key experiences in which I felt true to myself and to my mission.

Speaking:

Checking “TEDx speaker” off my bucket list was huge!  Upside-Down On Purpose: What 10,000 Cartwheels Taught Me About Life is live online, and the conversations it’s sparked about choosing discomfort and perspective have been energizing. Other speaking highlights included the OCEA Cooperative Experiential Education Conference, Soul Full Women’s Retreat, and St. Vincent de Paul. Speaking to diverse audiences remains a passion and focus. #SpeakUp2026

Educating:

I entered my 12th year as a Seneca Polytechnic professor, teaching Career Preparation and Presentation Skills, a personal record. This winter, I’m returning to teach Global Citizenship, a course I designed pre-COVID, after a six-year break. Joining the Kingsway College School Admissions Team has been equally inspiring, as has continuing my work as a high school supply teacher in TDSB schools. Our teens navigate a complex system. My son included.

Writing:

Sharing Kika the Upside-Down Girl at events and holiday markets continues to be uplifting, 12 years and counting. My Portfolioist Mindset book, however, feels stalled. Publisher rejections and rethinking the book’s true purpose have left me feeling stuck. Ironically, I’m facing the same challenges I help clients work through. Writing and publishing a book is hard. I’m committed to clarifying the plan in 2026.

Coaching:

Helping people declutter and design their lives to reduce overwhelm and increase ease continues to be deeply satisfying. Alongside 1:1 coaching, I’ve begun partnering with a fellow organizer who truly gets it and brings joy to the work.

THE TRANSPARENT PART

When life asks more than expected.

So much this fall has been more than okay, and this year has also asked a lot of my heart, mind, and spirit. Parenting a teen through an ADHD diagnosis, medication adjustments, recovery from multiple concussions, and school disengagement has been heavy.

I say I love a good challenge, but when it’s your child needing you, it hits differently. I’m truly ready for a “First-Class Manager of Moods, Meds, and Impulsivity” t-shirt. #LaughDon’tCry

Parenting and family life are profound tests of empathy, patience, and love. I’m in, and I’m also hoping for love and levity in 2026.

THE FUN PARTS

Joy still sneaks in. Often loudly.

Reading remains my favorite form of escape and insight. My annual Goodreads Challenge (year nine!) delivered again. From the 88+ books I read or listened to this year, I’ll be sharing my “best of” list soon - an annual tradition I really look forward to. Standouts include: Careless People, The Correspondent, Wild Dark Shore, Pick a Colour, and The Wedding People.

New puppies bring chaos and delight in equal measure. Archie (aka Archibald), our Havanese, has added joy, laughter, and messes to daily life. Watching him leap through the snowbanks for the first time is joyful, for him – and us. #UnconditionalLove

Dancing to ’80s music in a country kitchen in Monckton, ON, and belting Madonna’s Vogue at karaoke were two additional standouts, reminding me that I love music and dancing. When nothing else matters but the FLOW of the moment, that’s the good stuff.

Celebrating my Aunt Judit’s 95th birthday was special. From escaping war-torn Hungary to building a life in Canada, she remains unique and unforgettable. At her party, she wanted to know why her drink was “only 11% and not 40%” like her favorite Hungarian concoction. #95Rocks

Spending time up north (our farm is 2.5 hours north of Toronto) is relaxing, healing, and energizing. We trade speed for spaciousness and let the forest lead, the noise fade, and nature do its thing. Sleeping in, eating late, and making memories are always welcome.  

THE FESTIVE PART

Campy, cozy, and unapologetically extended.

Lights, decorations, cookies, photos, and kitschy knick-knacks bring color and comfort to the season. Thanks to our new puppy, our Christmas tree lived on a table, gifts were relocated to the buffet, and decorations were kept waist-level and above. It’s all staying up until late January. Why rush joy? #FeelingGrateful #FaLaLaLaLa

With work and school on pause, the holidays have unfolded slowly.

Christmas Eve highlights included paella made lovingly by JB (4+ hours of love and labour), an intimate family dinner (#MissYouDad), and an enthusiastic, out-of-the-box opportunity to make connections while playing Scattegories.

Christmas Day brought presents under our elevated tree, coziness with the fake Netflix fire, and an extravagantly delicious evening feast hosted by my mom, who insists she’ll keep hosting until she’s “too old.” What a day to savour.

Post Christmas brought us up north, where we are surrounded by trees, snow, fresh air - the perfect environment from which to reflect, write, and bond with 3 teen boys, 2 adults, and a puppy. I’m deeply grateful for family, friends, rest, and reflection. #JoyAndEase.

THE END PART

Reflection doesn’t need perfection.

This time of year invites us to reflect, to plan forward, and to grasp the optimism of a new year.

Gathering my thoughts has felt necessary, reassuring, and hopeful,

Whatever this season brings/has brought you, I wish you joy, ease, and a wholehearted permission slip to do the holidays your way.

Maybe this season doesn’t need to be perfectly wrapped. Maybe it just needs to be real. 💫