My year in review. The chaos, the glow ups and the things I swore I’d never do again.

Some people get a tidy little Spotify Wrapped with neon graphics and mysterious “top moods” like wistful focus or aggressively productive. I get a year wrapped in nappies, deadlines, preschooler opinions, client briefs, flight confirmations and the faint smell of bone broth infused baby puree.

Here’s the year that was, in all its glory.

Most Played Location

My kitchen. Day in, day out, snack board central. It saw more action than a nightclub during schoolies. Between baby led weaning carnage, sourdough phases, and the daily ritual of making meals nobody asked for, this room had a higher step count than the cardio section at the gym on January 2.

Top Travel Memory

Two months in Europe, two kids, one pram and two parents who definitely consumed more espresso shots than actual water.

We survived airports, ferries, trains, time zones, and several existential moments where I wondered if I should’ve just stayed home and admired photos of Santorini instead of living through the real version which included a cancelled flight, zero sleep, and a flooded motel. Glamorous.

But the memories we made? Absolutely worth every misstep.

Seb celebrated his first birthday in Porto at a wine museum, absolute king behaviour, and blew out his candles on a pizza because cake is optional but carbs are forever.

Bella thrived, ate gelato like it was her life’s calling, and kept the vibe alive even when the adults were running on three hours sleep and pure stubbornness.

We watched friends get married on the Athens Riviera in a ceremony that felt like a movie scene, ate our way through Italy, shopped our feelings in Paris, swam the Mediterranean, devoured pastel de nata in Portugal, and tried to process the sensory overload that is Dubai.

I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Probably hydrated this time. Probably.

Maternity Leave Mood

Maternity leave was supposed to be slow days, soft pants and bonding. And yes, sometimes it was exactly that.

Other times it was school runs, content creation squeezed into nap windows, keeping the sourdough alive, UGC briefs, wake windows that felt entirely made up, planning Europe, and trying to remember that I also needed feeding, not just the tiny humans.

My first maternity leave happened in the middle of covid lockdowns and it still sits in my memory like a fog I never wanted to walk through again. This time was different. Still intense, still overwhelming in its own way, but somehow filled with more light.

Somewhere between the chaos and the quiet moments, I found parts of myself I didn’t know I’d lost. I learned to soften, to slow down even when life refused to, and to see the magic in the mess. And welcoming our second baby didn’t just grow our family, it completed something in me too.

Most Unnecessary Purchase

I’d love to blame something baby related… maybe the gadget Seb wore once as a hat and never again for its actual purpose. Or the kitchen tool that promised to “save time” but mostly saved dust in a drawer.

But the real culprit was my YSL bag. Technically unnecessary, absolutely gorgeous, and entirely my husband’s fault for buying it. It just didn’t feel right leaving Paris without one and he knew it. Thanks babe, I blame you completely.

Statistically Improbable Achievement

Planning and executing a two month European itinerary while breastfeeding, filming content, coordinating school lunches and pretending I wasn’t losing track of what day it was.
I basically ran a small tour company while holding a teething baby.

Most Viral Child Moment

Sebby made friends with every stranger we encountered, proving he is indeed the social butterfly we’re bracing ourselves for. Whether we were in a tiny Italian pizza shop or crammed onto a Parisian train, he waved, smiled and charmed his way into free food, cuddles and an audience. That child could start an international fan club without even speaking.

And then there’s Bella, who absolutely bloomed this year. The scared, clingy little girl we walked into the school year with has transformed into someone confident, kind and wonderfully brave. Her kindy orientation was a complete breeze. No tears, no hesitation, just pure excitement as she ran into a room full of new faces. She was the one comforting other kids who felt nervous, proving she’s grown in ways that matter most.

The Thing That Finally Broke Me

Trying to force a consistent gym routine into a season of life that simply didn’t have space for it. I held on for as long as I could, but eventually I realised the pressure was breaking me more than the workouts ever did.

Now I’ve settled into something softer. A couple of runs when my body feels light enough, a mindful walk with the kids, or a 30 minute weights session in our home gym when the stars align. Letting go of the “perfect routine” made room for movement that actually supports me instead of draining me.

And maybe part of that new energy comes from almost giving up alcohol. I learned fast that there is no such thing as a gentle hangover with two small kids. I still enjoy a drink or two on special occasions, but those casual weeknight wines at home with the hubby have become almost nonexistent.

Sometimes the most loving thing you can do for yourself is choose the version of you who can show up the next morning with a clear head and a steady heart.

The Thing That Made It All Worth It

The tiny moments. Sunset gelato. Family photos I’ll cherish forever. Seeing my kids discover the world. Franky being peak dad-energy. The rare quiet mornings where everyone was happy, fed and not climbing something unsafe.

Looking Ahead to 2026

We’ve done the chaos trial. We’ve done the plane rides. We’ve done the “maybe I shouldn’t have packed 13 outfits each.”

Next year I’m aiming for balance, smart business growth, more content that brings me joy, and travel that doesn’t require 17 spreadsheets… although who am I kidding, I’ve grown to love a spreadsheet. And one thing’s for sure, I won’t be doing work for free.

If 2025 was the year of juggling flaming batons, 2026 can be the year of juggling… softer things. Like marshmallows. Or brand deals with reasonable deliverables.

Here’s to the next chapter.