Good morning, friends.

We are actually… in 2026. I mean, I can’t say that I never thought we’d see this year, because that would be quite pessimistic — however, I will say that this year came so quickly.

2020 does NOT feel like it was six whole years ago. It’s wild.

Anyway… we made it. We are in another year, hoping to see something better than what we saw last year, hoping to get better results, go further, push harder, and be better. But before we confront all of these goals and such, let’s talk about how awkward the first week of the new year is, shall we? Please make sure to scroll all the way down this week as there are some new sections that I’d love for you to see :)

Come on, pull up your seat, grab something warm and come chat with me for a while.

The Sunday Brew

The First Week Is Always Awkward 😭

The first week of the new year always carries a bit of awkwardness. After we’re done with the hype of New Year’s Eve—bringing in the new year with toasts, loved ones, and ball drops—after we finish our vision boards, find our new planner, and figure out our new goals… we’re confronted with the awkwardness.

We’re in a limbo of being hype for new goals and “new year, new me” attitudes, while also remembering that we had the same goals last year and didn’t fulfill them. We had a gym goal that we didn’t meet. We had books we didn’t finish—or even start. It’s a little awkward having the past version of you calling out the current version of you. You may start to feel doubt. You may start to be a bit overcritical of yourself and begin setting unrealistic expectations for yourself—hoping it’ll push you to the point you’re trying to get to.

It’s almost like a dangerous, self-deprecating cycle. We don’t mean to be so hard on ourselves in the new year in that way, but it happens when you start confronting the fact that you never stick to your New Year goals.

Let’s turn that overly critical voice down in our heads, though. Let’s make it not so awkward.

Let me remind you that every Sunday of the week is a new week. A fresh start. A clean slate. You don’t have to “start over in the next year” when things feel like they’re falling apart. You can literally start over the very next week. Now, you can restart the next day—every single day is a new day—but if you’re like me, you don’t really see a fresh start happening until Sunday.

Sunday is that girl, for real. I used to hateeeee Sundays. The Sunday blues used to take me and suffocate me. I was depressed every Sunday—sad, overwhelmed, you name it. But I stopped looking at Sundays as the day where everything goes back to “normal” and responsibilities kick back in. I started looking at it as my day to recenter, reset, and realign for the week ahead—especially if I had a bad week prior. It’s like my little permission slip to start over. Love Sundays.

There may be a few of you still recovering from the partying you did for New Year’s. Some of you may be recovering from the holidays in general—I know I am. Maybe you were late to the party and still haven’t made your list of goals. Maybe you didn’t eat the best on the second day of the new year and now you feel bad because you aren’t keeping up with your healthy eating goals. It starts to get real awkward, real fast, when you start the “new year” off by not being 100% all the way in.

Whatever it may be—just chill. Relax, baby. You’re fine, lol. Because guess what today is? Sunday. And what do we have permission to do on Sundays? You’re exactly right. We get the opportunity to reset and start over. Of course, I’m not saying to do away with your goals or use this as an excuse. What I am saying is to let Sunday be the day you gather yourself again if you kind of lost it a bit the previous week.

Give yourself permission to rest and recharge. Don’t start your year off with goals that don’t align with your schedule—goals you have no realistic way of fitting into your everyday life. Don’t start your year off with goals that you know you aren’t able to reach at this very moment. Please hear me when I say: you know what you are and aren’t able to do right now. I’m never telling you that you can’t reach a goal you’ve set for yourself—but I am a very realistic person. I’m not about to set a goal to lose 30 pounds in the next three weeks. It’s not realistic. Not only is it unrealistic, but it forces me to push myself to unimaginable limits. Don’t do that to yourself again this year.

Make sure you’re setting goals that are realistic. That way, you won’t have to awkwardly confront yourself the first week of 2027—because you’ll have met every goal you set this year. How? Because you were intentional. Because you set realistic goals. Because you stopped being so freaking hard on yourself and allowed yourself to do what it takes to reach obtainable goals.

What’s today? Sunday. A fresh start. A new week. Another chance to reevaluate your goals for the year and make sure they’re within reach. It’s still early. You’ll be okay if you need to revise. <3

Curious Minds 🧠

We are going to be curious people all of 2026! Asking the questions, researching, and learning new things. So, in this section I’ll just list a fun fact I learned this week. :)

Okay sooooo, apparently sleep affects pretty much every tissue in the body — from the brain, lungs, heart. It also even has an effect on metabolism, immune function, mood, hormone levels — so many things. Now, please… don’t make fun of me. I’m sure some of my friends are laughing at me as they’re reading that I wrote this. The amount of times I’ve gotten yelled at by them for not getting enough sleep… even my husband has told me the same thing.

Being such a night owl and someone who has a hard time sleeping, I never even thought to look up the benefits that getting adequate sleep could do for me. I just “listened to my friends” and let it go in one ear and out the other.

Okay — that was dumb. Now? Babyyyy, I’m gonna be in bed by 9. Please — don’t disturb me. I will not be responding after 9 from Sunday-Thursday, LOL. You’ve been warned! Get your damn sleep, please!!!

This finna be me every night after I take my magnesium, drink some tea, and do some gardening 🍃💨

Recipes by Jade 👩🏽‍🍳

My girl Jade is finally posting her recipes on Substack and I’m so happy for her! Master chef right here, okay!??! She had my entire family licking their plates and asking for seconds graduation weekend. She is legit!

Please check out her first recipe, right here on Subtack and don’t forget to subscribe!!!

A Cozy Chicken Chili for Busy Nights & Full Hearts

This is the kind of meal I make when life feels loud, and I need something grounding. Warm, simple, forgiving. I’ve cooked variations of this chicken chili for years—at home, for clients, and during seasons when comfort mattered more than perfection.

A Taste of Jade 💙

Meme of the Week 😎

While some of us probably have goals to be sober for a bit since the new year has started, let this be a reminder that we are kind of insane for doing so with all of the what the fuck moments that happen throughout our days and even on the news, LOL. We’re kinda insane and thats okay lmao. And then to keep the peace and allow yourself to not crash out? Ultimate insanity points.

Sunday Chronicle Updates!?

So as you can see, I’ve added a few sections to the Sunday Chronicle and I’m looking to add even more. I love the idea of having a full blown Newspaper being sent to you in your inbox every week! <3

I know for sure I want to add a Sunday Funnies section and possibly something else. Check your emails, I sent a survey out to you all yesterday — in hopes to get some ideas! You all are my subs, some of you are paid! I want to know what you guys would like to see more of. So, talk to me, let me know!

Until then, see you soon!

Also, sidenote, please keep an eye out for new Nolaverse content this week!!! You will not be disappointed.

Anway, time for me to sign off. I have incense to light and tea to drink. My journal is also waiting on me.

Have a great week. 😘