Wrapping up 2025
it was worse than I'd hoped but better than I thought
It’s that time of year when a lot of people start reflecting on the year that is coming to an end. I’ve had a rough time this year. I started out January with an emergency gallbladder removal, and I spent most of the rest of the year in “just do what you can” mode, which is never ideal for reaching spectacular goals.
It’s easy to focus on what didn’t go well and forget all that did go well. I know this. I teach this. I still almost dismissed all the good that did happen this year because of the things I wasn’t happy about.
I did catch myself, though, and spent a bit of time thinking about what I HAD accomplished this year. Despite making less money and slowly paring back my coaching business, I DID do some great things:
I launched a podcast with Rowan Jette Knox. We will have released 35 episodes in 2025, and that is certainly nothing to sneeze at. The content is excellent too! It’s about a lot of the things I have been writing about for the last few years - acknowledging the things we’ve been taught that don’t serve us, and trying to rewrite those stories.
If you haven’t checked it out yet, please do. Unboxing It with Lara and Rowan can be found in most of the places you listen to podcasts, or you can sign up for the Substack and get emails when we release new episodes. And if you like it, we’d love it if you would leave a review, tell your friends, or sign up to support us financially. All the things mean a lot to us!
I started focusing on my art as a business. I hosted my first workshops, sold patterns, have my art up in galleries, and have been selling more of my pieces. My plan for 2026 is to relaunch my website, keep focusing on art, and help elevate people’s view of rug hooking as an art form.
I launched a mail club. After seeing a bunch of people online talking about running a mail club, I decided to try this concept out myself. In December, I had 10 people sign up to receive a letter from me with at least two postcards of my artwork. I had SO much fun coming up with ideas for what to include and am looking forward to continuing this in 2026. For $10/month, people will get, at minimum, two postcards (one to keep and one to send out, because I think some analog connection should be in everyone’s life in 2026 ✉️💗), a letter from me, and a story I’ve written (about my life or someone I know - not fiction). There will also almost always be something else included. Last month it was a card, and I’ve already got stickers and magnets ordered for future months!
I taught five classes at the local college. The last few years have been an exploration of what comes next in my life. I was thrilled when I was asked to teach some classes at Algonquin College, and I’m so glad I had the experience. One student said to me, “I was really dreading this class - I was convinced it was going to be so boring, but every single class was interesting and engaging. “ Talk about giving me exactly the kind of feedback that lights me up! 😃
I don’t expect to be teaching much in 2026 (for a variety of reasons), but we shall see what the future will bring!I was able to support my family. There’s been a lot going on in my personal life. I have spent days and days of my time at doctors’ appointments and doing the admin work of following up on things. It’s not exciting stuff, but it’s great knowing I was able to help.
I visited Newfoundland! Another province checked off my list as I endeavour to see all of Canada in my lifetime. What an amazing trip that was, with wonderful friends and centered around the hobby that I love!
I hope your year has been great, and even if it hasn’t been all great, that you can take some time to acknowledge the things you’ve accomplished and the things that have gone well.
2026, here we come!