For me, one of the things that makes life feel full is having something to look forward to. Whether it’s a scheduled trip, a concert on the calendar or even a casual Saturday game night with friends, those sparks of anticipation have a way of giving everyday routines a little extra oomph.
For me, that “something” has almost always been tied to travel or live music. I love the feeling of packing a bag, heading off and immersing myself in the energy of a concert crowd. There’s nothing like the pulse of the music, the buzz of excitement and the joy of being part of something bigger than yourself. Most years, I try to make it to several shows, and they become little milestones scattered throughout my calendar. But this year has been different. Aside from GATA Jam and Zach Top here in town, I haven’t had the chance to travel as much as I’d like.
I did sneak away on a cruise in June and July, and it was every bit as wonderful as I’d hoped — sunsets at sea, time to relax and a chance to explore new places. But after the cruise, my calendar has felt surprisingly quiet. Outside of the holidays ahead, there hasn’t been much waiting for me on the horizon. And if I’m being honest, that’s left me feeling a little flat. It turns out for me, anticipation isn’t just a luxury — it’s a lifeline.
It’s actually a little something I highly recommend to others. I encourage you to plan something — even if it’s just a day off work to binge your favorite TV shows — that will refresh and revive you. You can look forward to almost anything: a favorite meal planned for a Sunday dinner, quiet time spent reading a book, even a long, luxurious bath.
Realizing that anticipation makes me feel more excited about life has had me thinking a lot about how I want to approach the coming year. I’ve seen a lot of motivational advice online about scheduling your months with intentional moments of joy: a self-care day here, a date night with your significant other there, or maybe a quick day trip with a friend. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive; it just has to be something that sparks excitement and gives you a reason to look forward. I love that idea, and it’s something I want to try to embrace in 2026. Filling my calendar with little bright spots will not only keep me energized but also give the people around me things in which to share and enjoy.
I also need to look at the smaller things as things worth anticipating. My mindset sometimes doesn’t align with that; for example, Jason and I want to paint our kitchen cabinets, and it’s going to be a lot of work. I do not look forward to that in the slightest — but the teamwork and fun that we’ll have by singing along to the radio while taking it on together will inevitably make the project more fun. And the finished product will make it well worth the effort, so I need to anticipate the ending, even if the process isn’t going to be all that exciting.
Still, as much as I love to plan, I’ve also realized that I don’t want my life to feel too rigid. Some of the best memories come from the spur-of-the-moment decisions — last-minute dinner plans, spontaneous road trips, the “why not?” moments you never saw coming. I want to leave more room for those opportunities, too. To me, 2026 won’t just be about what I carefully schedule on the calendar; it’ll also be about what I allow myself to say yes to in the moment.
With the holidays around the corner, I’m grateful for the traditions and gatherings that naturally bring joy this time of year. They’re my “something to look forward to” right now. But as I look ahead, I’m challenging myself to create more of those moments in the everyday, both planned and spontaneous. Because sometimes, the anticipation is half the fun — and sometimes, the unplanned moments are the ones you end up cherishing most of all.
