How to have the best year of your life in 2026
An invitation to visualize, design, and walk your most creative path next year.
Welcome back to Take Your Time — a space where I share pieces of my world in the hope that they spark reflection, connection, and growth for all of us. Today’s letter is a dedication to the year ahead, and to the time we’ll take to make it our best one yet.
The truth is: real growth takes time. There’s always a delta between the idea of who you want to become and the person you’re in the process of becoming. It requires showing up — even when you’re unsure, even when it’s messy. It asks for vulnerability, curiosity, and the kind of quiet trust that tells you it’ll all come together if you just keep going.
One of the most powerful ways I shape the year ahead is through vision boarding. Every December, I make a text-based and a visual mood board. It’s part ritual, part design process — and I swear, it works in making my dreams (mostly) come true.
Here’s my three-pronged approach for my most creative year ever:
My guide for how to make a mood board (generally, if you don’t know where to start — this could be for you, a business, a campaign, etc in an evergreen way!).
My guide for how to manifest everything you ever wanted (text-based and visual mood boards that I do each December).
And my other favorite creative reset: The Artist’s Way
If you’ve followed me here or in the chat, you’ve likely heard me talk about The Artist’s Way. If not — here’s the TL;DR: it’s a 12-week program by Julia Cameron that’s described as a “spiritual path to higher creativity.” And ultimately, it’s a guided program that helps you return to yourself and your inner voice.
In addition to the weekly reading and tasks, the program uses two tools:
Morning Pages (my favorite refillable journal for MPs, but you can start these on any journal or printer paper, whatever you have)
Artist Dates
Morning Pages are three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing done first thing in the morning ideally every single day. Think of it as clearing out mental cobwebs before the day begins. If you’ve ever wanted to become “a journaler,” this is the way. Truly. It’s the only thing that’s worked for me to build a consistent journaling practice.
When I first did The Artist’s Way in 2020, I committed to 7 days a week of Morning Pages. I’m planning to do the same this time, though in “off seasons” I still journal about 3–4 days a week. That consistency has changed my life. Why? Because if you keep showing up to the page and tell the truth, eventually, you have to move through it. It’s hard to write about the same stuck feeling every day without gaining clarity or shifting something within. Morning Pages keep you honest — and in that honesty, there’s momentum towards building the life of your dreams.
Artist Dates are weekly solo dates doing something that hopefully inspires you! One hour with your inner artist — no audience, it can be something really one-off you’ve been wanting to try like an archery or handpan lesson, or it can be as simple as going for a quiet walk near a body of water. Just joy and exploration. Go to a museum. Book a pottery class. Sketch in a café. It’s not about the outcome — it’s about being in process, letting yourself play, and remembering what lights you up.
This year, I’m joining an intimate Artist’s Way group starting next week, and I thought it could be fun to mirror that practice here with you. Whether it’s your first time doing The Artist’s Way or your fifth, you’re invited to our check-in chat. I’m also planning to do a LIVE Substack on Tuesday, December 30th at 6pm ET / 3pm PT. As much as I’d love to do a weekly live or Zoom session, my travel schedule makes that tricky — but we can still hold each other accountable in our digital community (and you can go at your own pace if needed, too).
Here’s the plan:
Pick up the book (or dust it off your shelf)
Read the Intro, The Basic Principles, and Week 1 over the next week
Kickoff with a Live Substack on Tuesday, December 30th at 6pm ET / 3pm PT
We’ll officially start our digital check-ins for Week 1 the week of January 5th
I created a Google Doc Syllabus if that’s an easier way to follow along, too.
At the bottom are 20 Artist Date ideas as well.
One of the most magical things about doing The Artist’s Way more than once is that each time, something different lands — depending on where you are in your life.
And this time is especially meaningful for me as it’s my first round of The Artist’s Way since doing Brainspotting therapy, which completely changed my nervous system, how I process things, and how I access my creativity. I’m excited and curious for what resonates with me this go ‘round.
So, here’s to returning to the page and our mood boards—
To resetting, restoring, and remembering what we’re here to do: connect, create, and inspire.
I hope you’ll join me. ✨
Take your time, and take care, always,
Dianna
And Now… Three Things I Love and A Haircare Tip
KRAUM Brush Set — I’m a firm believer that tools matter just as much as formulas—and these brushes prove it. Created by Annie Kreighbaum (formerly of Soft Services and Glossier), the set is designed to make classic makeup—think a perfect wing—feel effortless, while also unlocking new, intuitive ways to apply product across eyes and lips. I’ve use every single brush when doing my makeup now. They’re 11/10.
Fewer Finer Custom Charm Necklace — I wanted to celebrate becoming the #1 Dry Shampoo at Sephora this quarter (!! I’m still shook TBH), and this felt like the perfect way to mark the moment—a reminder of the magic of an excellent formula (and an equally excellent brush). Madison and her team at Fewer Finer are such a joy to collaborate with. And if you ever have the chance to visit their Brooklyn townhouse, go. It’s heavenly.
CURRENTBODY LED Therapy Mask — I’m home for the next few weeks (rare), so I’m making time for this mask every single day. I’m a big believer in consistent rituals, and I truly see a difference in my skin when I use this regularly.Use code DIANNA for 10% off your order.
A Haircare Tip: Your scalp deserves love, too.
If you’re styling your hair a lot during the holidays, a weekly scalp reset is essential.
I use The Cleansing Scrub once a week instead of shampoo—and it’s completely changed the health of my scalp and hair.
Before Crown Affair, I was obsessed with a cult-classic luxury salon salt scrub that gave amazing results—clean, lifted roots, like a blowout—but it wasn’t sulfate-free or color-safe and was harsh on my hair. So when I launched Crown Affair, recreating a better, cleaner version was one of the first things I wanted to work on with my chemist.
We kept the results of the iconic, dated scrub, but made it gentle, nourishing, and much better for you. Our formula uses Bolivian pink salt, Tsubaki seed oil, and naturally-derived surfactants to exfoliate, cleanse, and restore balance—without ever stripping or leaving residue. The texture is fluffy, whipped, and truly feels like a detox cleanse for your scalp.
I think this is one of the most underrated products in our portfolio. We don’t promote it heavily at retail because the ingredients are so high-quality, and I’ve always refused to compromise on the formula just to make margins work for marketing. That’s how much I believe in it.
Bonus: I can go 2–3 extra days before my next wash when I use it.
If you’ve tried it, you know. And if not—consider this your invitation to integrate this step into your weekly ritual. Especially as you start thinking about Air Dry January and building healthier hair habits for the year ahead.
Once a week. One cleanse. Total reset.
LOVE the idea of artist dates! one of my goals each year is to find ways to be more creative and I find myself going on artist dates already (just not calling them that). I want to be more intentional with romanticizing my adventures!
I've been doing TAW for so long that I've "graduated" to the middle-aged version, which I'm doing now! Always suprising how helpful it is throughout the different stages of life.