Turmoil, Tears and Trust... Hello 2026

I had every intention of starting 2026 feeling calm, clear and on top of the world.

My champagne bottles were labelled with goals.
My quarterly plans were mapped out.
My diary was beautifully organised and ready to go.

And then yesterday morning, before I’d even had breakfast, I opened my to do list and burst into tears.

Not a quiet, graceful tear either.
The kind where your chest tightens, your whole body shakes and you feel like you’re drowning in everything you’ve created for yourself.

The weight of content to create, podcasts to record, social posts to schedule, newsletters to write, videos to film, offers to launch across three different businesses felt completely strangling.

It was Day One.
And something already had to give.

The truth is, you know this about me.
I am a serial entrepreneur and a deeply multi-passionate woman.

I run a global video production company.
I publish a regional independent magazine.
I lead a coaching and community business.
I speak on stages.
I host events.
I build ideas.

My superpower is creation.
But it’s also my personal demon.

So yesterday I didn’t push through.
I stopped.

And I asked myself one simple question:
What actually matters most this year?

The answer was crystal clear.

Connection.
Conversation.
Being in the room with people who inspire me.

So I’m going back to basics.

In 2026, I am anchoring everything I do around three core pillars.

Producer.
My video business is now 15 years old and still growing globally. I’ve already locked in a project in Denmark later this month and I’m intentionally ramping this side of the business through face to face conversations. One trip to the city each month. Real meetings. Real relationships. Impactful Projects.

Publisher.
Mid-Western Living is moving into its third year and it’s stronger than ever. With our quarterly magazine, new Homes & Property section, Biz Club and the launch of our annual Wedding Issue, this work is deeply regional, deeply local and built on in-person connection with the businesses in my hometown.

Presenter.
I love being on stage. Sharing stories. Creating moments that land in people’s hearts. My goal is 20 speaking gigs in 2026 and my new speaker reel is ready to go. This is how I want to be visible.

These are my three Ps.
Producer. Publisher. Presenter.

Not endless social media.
Not the pressure of constant content.
Not recording for the sake of recording.

Instead, showing up to the right people, in the right places, in a way that grows my business and theirs.

The Champagne Lounge Virtual Social Club will continue with our Monday Momentum Calls and monthly Virtual Vinos because that connection matters deeply to me. I’ll also be hosting a small, intentional number of in-person events in Mudgee and the city, including my first Intimate Retreat in February and my Fabulous Long Lunch in March.

When your body has a full-scale reaction to your workload, it is trying to tell you something.

Mine was telling me to choose depth over noise.
People over platforms.
Presence over pressure.

So here I am.
A little softer.
A lot clearer.
And quietly excited for what this year is going to become.

If 2026 is asking you to slow down, simplify or choose differently too, you’re not alone.

Here’s to trusting the mess, even when it starts with tears.

With love,

Rebecca