Diary of a Happy Goth

Alongside my new year’s resolutions, I like to have some ins and outs to refer back to. I tried to think holistically about 2025, isolating some items or behaviours that impacted my life, both positively and negatively!

My 2026 is about self-growth and progression with my writing. I want to balance being young, getting to know myself and kickstarting my career goals equally. With that in mind, here’s my 2026 ins and outs!

In – nightlife

Dry January isn’t for me. I’m 20, I’ve got plenty of years in the future to stay in. This isn’t to say I don’t love a pamper night in with a movie marathon, but I do want to go out a couple of nights a week. Dancing, cheesy house tunes and vodka lime sodas are in for my 2026!

Out – forcing myself to perfectly fit in a subculture

No longer will I be forcing myself to mould perfectly into a particular subculture. I’m a goth that loves pink, KISStory tunes, animal print and clubbing. I also listen to metal, but this genre has been overtaken by house and jungle! 

I’m no longer embarrassed to admit this. I can be so many things at once, and I’ve learnt that being able to experiment with style is such a privilege!

In – setting boundaries

Not just with others, but with myself too! My financial goal for 2026 is to be overdraft free. Sounds crazy to some, but I haven’t actually had my own money for a long time, just relying on my student interest free overdraft to fund my bad financial decisions! With exceptions, setting boundaries this year will mean saying no to things to budget, and protect my social battery. 

Out – shrinking myself

My body and my personality! I’m working on my health and wellness without the desire to become smaller. There is space for me to thrive in my current body. I will be a healthy, happy and curvy queen!

I also refuse to believe I am “too much” anymore. I’m a bubbly extrovert with a mean Essex cackle! I don’t understand the phrase “full of myself” because, what’s the alternative? Being empty of myself? No thank you!

In – audiobooks

I didn’t reach my 2025 reading goal, and I definitely think listening to audiobooks when I’m on the move will be the best way to power my brain. I’ve already gotten through two this year, Laurie Gilmore’s The Pumpkin Spice Cafe and Baek Sehee’s I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki. 

My next pick will likely be non-fiction to really fuel my brain!

Out – speaking before I think

Especially after a drink, I can be a menace for speaking before I think. In the past, it has brought out an unkind and blunt version of myself I don’t recognise, and want no relationship with!

Ejecting this behaviour in 2026 will help me become the incredible person I’m striving to be.

In – experimenting with makeup

Gone are the days of ‘clean girl’ makeup and looking ‘normal’ to fit a beauty standard. I want crazy things on my face! Colours, styles, drawings, symbols… It’s all happening in 2026.

Out – pretending not to feel negative emotions

This one sounds insane, but for a long time I’ve ignored and pretended not to feel my negative emotions because I’d rather be the happy, positive person that can uplift people and bring the vibes. 

In 2026, I’m ready to sit with every emotion, get to know them, understand them, and be open about feeling them.

In – having uncomfortable conversations

If we’re wanting self-improvement in 2026, we’ll need to have uncomfortable conversations. I want to give and receive these, knowing they come from a place of love and with the intention of having open and honest relationships.

Out – trends and fads

Boring! I’m just going to be me and not fall for social media marketing that tells me I need something, or to be a certain way. The only thing I need is for you to get off my screen! Please and thank you x

In – posting content without fear

I really want to establish a small social media following, connect with likeminded individuals and become more social media savvy. The only thing stopping me has been the fear of judgement, but who actually cares anyway? And why do I care?

Out – procrastination

Easier said than done, but I just want to crack on with academic and creative ventures with ease. What am I even overthinking? Breaking the task down into the smallest possible chunks has really helped me with this one.