Subject: A little bit of hope for 2026

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘It will be happier.’” — Alfred Lord Tennyson

Every year, a friend and I have a tradition: instead of making a list of punishing resolutions that often go unachieved, we choose a single word. This word sums up our hopes and dreams for the twelve months ahead.

We’ve had the ‘Year of Love’ (when we were certain we’d meet Prince Charming) and the ‘Year of Hope’ (when the Year of Love didn’t quite go to plan!). When those romantic endeavours didn’t  deliver, we embraced the ‘Year of Change,’ opening ourselves up to everything new. The year of travel and the year of adventure also spring to mind.

I have always found this approach so much kinder than a list of goals as it allows the year to breathe.

My Word for 2026: Nature

This year, my word is Nature.

I’ve realised lately how little I know about the world right outside my door—the plants in my own garden or the tangled beauty of the hedgerows up the bog road. I want to appreciate it more, be more curious, and simply get out into the fresh air more often. Having a dog certainly helps with this.

My goal is simple: I’m going to finally take Zoe Devlin’s ‘The Wildflowers of Ireland’ off the shelf and this time read it! Next year, I hope to truly know the names of the things that grow in my natural environment.

A Heartfelt Thank You

Before we step fully into January, I want to send a massive thank you to everyone who supported Be Cosy over the last few weeks. I truly hope those "boxes of joy" brought some much-needed comfort and warmth to everyone who received them.

If you are looking for one small way to treat yourself this January, I’d love to suggest our handmade hats. Crafted from a beautiful blend of Merino wool and cashmere, they are the perfect companion for your own "walks of wonder" this winter.

A New Year Gift for You To say thank you for your incredible support, please use the code Cosy20 for 20% off EVERYTHING site-wide.

Whether you are making resolutions or simply choosing a word to guide you, I hope 2026 brings you an abundance of joy, happiness, and peace