On January 1, 2026, I logged out of Facebook, maybe for the last time. I deleted Instagram off my phone. The rush of AI slop made it easier to let go, in some ways, but ultimately, I’d been wanting to step back from social media for a long time. I’m still on Substack, with mixed feelings, but mostly to keep in touch with a variety of zinesters I quite enjoy following.
Everybody’s talking about analog these days, and while it feels driven by AI-irritation, I do think we’ve all been craving more reality over the past few years. AI-slop just makes it simpler. The joy of funny animal videos or cool artists crafting things that turn out to be fakes? Who wants to see that? It gave me the kick in the pants I needed (and wanted).
I let my friends and family on FB know I was logging out in advance, and left a breadcrumb for how they can find me if they need me, but the ball’s in their court now, since I won’t be checking messages there. I’m just so tired of the endless influx of garbage. I want something new, something fresh, something different, something mine.
I haven’t set goals for 2026. I haven’t made resolutions. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed just playing around and following my inspiration over the past few months, and I fully intend to keep doing that in 2026. I might learn Japanese a bit more (something I’ve been talking about doing for ages, but keeps getting put off). I might paint more, make more zines, go to a zine fair, start a Little Free Library in my neighborhood, take an art class, make felted insects, make a comic. The comic-making has been particularly hot of late, and I’m jonesing to turn one of my flash stories into a little comic, so I may do that. I’d like to learn more about comic making, and comic writing. I might watch all 30 episodes of Blossoms Shanghai which is the TV show by Wong Kar-wai on the Criterion Channel. I might discover new music via the Radiobox app and tuning into specialty small-time radio stations. I might write a lot of letters and postcards, because that’s just fun. I might play some pool, because my angles are getting rusty. I might see some shows (in fact, I absolutely will, because we’re seeing Birthday Massacre and going to Masquerade this month). I might try a little paper-cut animation for fun. I might work on rearranging our living space, decluttering, lightening. I might track down a polaroid camera or something similar to take photos for collages. I might watch a lot of horror movies (in fact, absolutely will). I might write a whole slew of strange lit stories. I might put together a collection of such things. I might try collaborating with some fellow artists/writers to create a mini-magazine of reprint stories. I might build myself a trellis for my roses. I might actually thoughtfully garden this year, planting things on purpose rather than just hoping they don’t die. I might finally visit the comics store near me. I might work through Lynda Barry’s Making Comics book. Or Alphonso Dunn’s inking workbook. I might actually organize my library a bit more thoughtfully. I might created a bunch of new placebo bottles for The Placebo Emporium, or just a few. I might listen to a bunch of albums from Side A to Side B. I might host a family reunion at my house in the summertime. I might write a whole bunch of new flash stories. I might subscribe to a physical newspaper again. I might make some good fresh progress on Mando’s training. I might finally pot my little plant trimmings that honestly need some soil at this point. I might organize my painting room. I might finally finish a good draft of this silly novel. I might design several more guitar pedals for my cousin. I might decorate my grey filing cabinet with wild colors and collage-style cutouts. I might finally hire my neighbor to put in a split-rail fence around our front yard. I might start working with Thing 1 to plan out a little tea garden on our forested knoll, or at least a first leg of it. I might attend a comicon somewhere. I might attend a writing convention. I might take a painting class back in Worcester. I might knit more. I might make my own clothes or throw pillows. I might rearrange the furniture in our bedroom. I might finally try to make PokPok chicken wings. Or Swedish almond knot buns.
There are just so, so, so many things I’d like to do. I won’t do them all. I might not even do most of them. But the year feels wide-open, and that makes me excited to try. Another thing I fully intend to do this year is restart my Polyreader Notes, because I find they help me keep track of what I’m reading more so than if I just let things slide through my consciousness. So keep an eye here, and we’ll see what ends up happening this year, together.
Take care of yourself,
if you’re bored, then you’re boring,
start the conversation with a stranger,
try new things that excite you,
toodle-oo!
M