The Power of the Blank Slate: Why You Should Set Goals for the New Year

The turning of the calendar page from December to January feels like a blank slate, a chance for a "Fresh Start Effect". This annual moment of reflection and renewal makes the New Year the perfect time to set meaningful goals that can shape the next twelve months and beyond. But why is setting goals so important, and how can you make sure they stick?

Here are the key reasons why you should embrace goal-setting at the start of  2026:

The Really Crafty Link Party is (still) taking a break for the holidays!

Hello, and welcome! It's Monday again and I'm very glad you're visiting but, same as last week, The Really Crafty Link Party is still taking a short break for the holidays.

The Really Crafty Link Party will be back on January 5th and then you will be able to share everything that you're working on or that inspired you during this break.

<div style="width:100%;text-align:center;"> <span style="margin:5px;padding:5px;border-radius: 5px;border:1px solid lightgrey;display:inline-block;"><a rel=_nofollow href="http://keepingitrreal.blogspot.com"> <img style="border: 1px solid gray;width:150px;height:150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uGof9l2d3fozeGQ2KhzjX9YyXkNikp0y2hxjDTJSbILwjD8q2hN1UM3UdYfzS1IyHRFKB0AG_Kr9Hq08-l3WvMMnHxw9TFIEAK8c4vPK3Tx8pUKQWoF_Lj3qGa6cG-hsJXcBKAoKDvFq/s400/Party.jpg"> <p style="allign: center;"> </p> </a></span></div>
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Until then, happy holidays and happy new year!

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Happy New Year Kitchen Dish Towels

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2026 monthly calendar - free printable

Hello, and welcome! I hope you've enjoyed a lovely Christmas with your loved ones.

As it is usual at the end of every year, I have prepared the calendar that will be hanging on our kitchen wall during the next year, and today I'm sharing it here today as well.

Scroll down if you want to read about this 2026 calendar, or just click to download the file.

Polkadots beach hut cross stitch pattern

Hello, and welcome! Here is the latest cross stitch pattern added to my Etsy shop - an which, in practice, will be my latest pattern for 2025:

The Really Crafty Link Party is taking a break for the holidays!

Hello, and welcome! It's Monday again and I'm very glad you're visiting, but The Really Crafty Link Party is taking a short break for the holidays.

The Really Crafty Link Party will be back on January 5th and then you will be able to share everything that you're working on or that inspired you during this break.

<div style="width:100%;text-align:center;"> <span style="margin:5px;padding:5px;border-radius: 5px;border:1px solid lightgrey;display:inline-block;"><a rel=_nofollow href="http://keepingitrreal.blogspot.com"> <img style="border: 1px solid gray;width:150px;height:150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uGof9l2d3fozeGQ2KhzjX9YyXkNikp0y2hxjDTJSbILwjD8q2hN1UM3UdYfzS1IyHRFKB0AG_Kr9Hq08-l3WvMMnHxw9TFIEAK8c4vPK3Tx8pUKQWoF_Lj3qGa6cG-hsJXcBKAoKDvFq/s400/Party.jpg"> <p style="allign: center;"> </p> </a></span></div>
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Until then, have a very merry Christmas and happy holidays,

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Gold Reindeer Kitchen Towels

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The Really Crafty Link Party #491 featured posts!

Hello and welcome! It's Friday again, so it's time to share the features of this week's link party!

Thank you all for joining the party and sharing with us. It's always a pleasure and an inspiration to go through all your wonderful posts!

Scroll down to check out this week's lovely features:

Mushroom zipper pouch

Remember the mushroom embroidery pattern I posted on the blog a few months ago (find it here)?. I left it on the hoop for a while, but finally decided to take it out, trim the fabric, and incorporate it into a new project: