First day of a new year always makes me feel like a new opportunity to do better: eat healthier, read more, finally write regularly on the blog. The truth is, it's not a new beginning, it's just a continuation of the same life. I doubt any of us can drastically change things overnight and I strongly believe it's in the small decisions we make daily. We can start making them on a random Thursday, some time in the middle of the month of May. It doesn't have to be 1st of January, but it sure appeals to so many of us, myself including.


They say the way you meet the year — that's how you'll spend it. I'm not superstitious, but I always try to have an active first day, setting myself up for success. Previously, I would prioritize going for a run at the park. This year I went playing padel in the morning, when the city was still half asleep.


As I was driving back home I marveled at the beautiful sunny day. Dry, cold and crisp. The town was slowly waking up after the New Year's night and its stillness was peaceful and grounding. So we've decided to go for a walk in the forest, not far from Bardar.


Roma grabbed the camera, some tea and off we went. A quiet walk is what heals the soul — far from the city and the sound of cars, just the two of us and the sound of crackling snow beneath our shoes. What I love about these moments is that talking is not a prerequisite. At times we walked in silence, while in-between we wondered about what new beginnings 2026 will bring. We shared our enthusiasm and our fears, as I've learned long ago that the things that are truly exciting and transformative are also somewhat scary.


2026 caught me in a pensive mood, so much so that I decided to share our first day of the year here. After a long break, the return to long format is not just a decision, it's a necessity to cure my brain from the damage of doom scrolling and short term rewards. Here's to a year of stories, long walks, meaningful connections. A year where we choose adventure over the black screen, and each other over strangers online.

A winter hiker in a light puffer jacket walks along a snow-covered trail lined with bare trees.
A sequence of winter forest scenes showing someone wearing sunglasses and a beanie while walking through snowy woods.
A snow-covered path through bare winter trees stretches into the distance under a bright blue sky.
A winter walker in a cream puffer coat and beanie enjoys a snowy forest path on a sunny day.
A snowy winter landscape with bare trees and a person wearing sunglasses and winter clothing enjoying the outdoors.
A solitary figure walks down a snowy forest path wearing a light-colored winter jacket and jeans.
A person in winter attire with a small crossbody bag stands on a snow-covered forest trail.
Person in a cream puffer coat and gray pants walking through a snowy winter forest trail.
Two people in winter coats embrace in a snowy landscape with bare trees in the background.
Someone wearing a white winter coat and knit beanie smiles while enjoying a sunny winter day.
A playful winter walker strikes a dramatic pose on a snowy forest trail while wearing a light jacket.
Snow covered forest trail with bare trees and a birdhouse mounted on a pole in winter.
A snowy forest path winds through bare winter trees with patches of sunlight filtering through the branches.
Person in a cream puffer jacket and jeans walks through a snow-covered forest trail.
Person in a red and brown winter jacket and navy beanie explores a snow-covered forest trail.
A close-up series of someone wearing sunglasses, a beanie hat and orange winter jacket while holding a beverage can.
White utility pole marker with red numbers standing in snowy wooded terrain against bare winter trees.
Snowy hiking trail winds through bare winter trees under a bright blue sky.