It's my 49th birthday this week!
A Christmas baby (I was due on Christmas Day, though I arrived a few days late).
Having a birthday at the end of the year means the celebrations roll straight from Christmas into January - I basically have one long party - But this timing always puts me in a reflective mood.
As the year closes, I find myself looking back at what has passed, and forward to what’s ahead. And with 2026 marking my 50th year, it feels like an especially meaningful milestone - a moment to pause, take stock, and set intentions for the future.
📨 This time last year I scheduled an email to myself, then forgot about it (sort of the point).
I was a lovely surprise to open it up this month, with a cheeky instruction to “strap in”. In that long message, I captured where I was at that moment in life, work, family, and future plans.
It was part journal, part pep talk - a reminder of what I was good at, and a nudge toward the things I wanted to change by the end of 2025.
I didn’t want to reach the end of the year feeling like nothing had shifted. So I set myself three clear intentions:
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Travel more
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Enjoy abundant harvests from the allotment
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Start a new business
Did I achieve them?
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Travel more → Ish. I managed more holidays and longer breaks, which were amazing (I absolutely recommend Bordeaux, especially if you love wine!), but I didn't quite have as much adventure as I’d hoped for this year.
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Abundant harvests → Ish again. The hot, dry summer made growing tough, but the strawberries and pears were so plentiful I almost didn’t know what to do with them (I have a lot of jam in the pantry!).
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Start a new business → Yes! Hen’s Tooth was born, and I’m already dreaming big for 2026.
Setting the next challenge
That email set a precedent.
I’ve decided to schedule another one to myself for the end of 2026.
I’ll forward the original, add to it, and create a thread of reflection I can follow year by year - a way of measuring progress and celebrating growth.
And with 2026 marking my 50th year, this feels like the perfect time to set some bold, audacious goals. Not just the everyday intentions, but a couple of big hairy things I want to achieve before such a landmark birthday.
✉️ Looking Ahead: My Five Big Questions
As I prepare to write my next email to myself - the one I’ll open at the end of 2026 - I want to give it more shape and intention.
Last year’s message was a mix of encouragement and goals, but this time I’m setting out five big questions to guide my reflection.
I'll be journaling about it first in a lovely notebook so I can work it through and refine what I want to tell myself.
These questions will help me capture not just what I’ve done, but how I’ve grown, and where I’m heading as I approach my 50th year.
1. Where am I today?
This is about taking stock of the present moment.
What’s happening in my life, work, and family right now?
How do I feel about it?
It’s a snapshot of who I am at this point in time - a grounding exercise before I look forward.
2. What happened in 2025?
A chance to celebrate the wins, acknowledge the challenges, and notice the unexpected twists.
It’s easy to forget the details of a year once it’s passed, so this question will help me capture the story of 2025 while it’s still fresh.
3. What lessons did I learn this year?
Every year teaches us something, whether through success, failure, or simply living.
This question is about distilling those lessons so I can carry them forward, rather than letting them slip away unnoticed.
4. What do I want to do before I hit 50?
This is the big one.
With such a milestone birthday ahead, I want to set bold, meaningful intentions.
Not just everyday goals, but those big hairy things that will make me proud when I look back.
5. Where do I want to be in a year’s time?
Finally, this question anchors the future.
It’s about imagining the life I want to be living when I open that email in December 2026 - the habits, achievements, and feelings I hope to have cultivated.
By framing my next letter around these five questions, I’m creating a ritual of reflection that feels both practical and inspiring.
It’s not just about ticking off goals, but about noticing the journey, honouring the lessons, and setting intentions that matter.
🌟 Your Turn
Why not try it yourself?
Take a quiet moment this week - in between the cheese, leftover turkey, and family time - to write a message to your future self.
Journal these first, then write up your email.
Use the five big questions as your guide:
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Where am I today?
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What happened this year?
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What lessons did I learn?
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What do I want to do before my next milestone?
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Where do I want to be in a year’s time?
Schedule it to arrive in your inbox at the end of 2026.
When it lands, you’ll have a snapshot of your journey, a reminder of how far you’ve come, and a nudge toward the dreams still waiting to unfold.
💌 It’s a simple ritual, but one that can spark reflection, gratitude, and motivation. Give it a try - your future self will appreciate it.
Thank me later!