We recently moved to New York City with three kids. I work remotely, I’m doing a Master’s program, I raise the children, I cook (not every day, let’s be honest), I do laundry (EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.), I grocery shop, I help with homework and I make sure homework actually gets done. All of this in one of the most buzzing cities in the world.
Honestly, this alone wouldn’t be a problem — I’ve been running some version of this life for 37 years. Some years were full of challenges, some were full of wins, but looking back, I can honestly say — in my own words — I always got the most out of it. That’s kind of my thing. Squeezing the maximum out of everything.
So for a while now, instead of New Year’s resolutions, I’ve been setting myself yearly challenges. Personal ones. Against myself. In 2024, the challenge was to go running 100 times. Did I make it? Obviously. 101 times. 682.4 km. 70 hours, 59 minutes and 32 seconds of running. I loved it — it felt like I ran around the world.
So there I was, in the last days of December, thinking hard about what this year’s challenge would be. And then it hit me: I went through everything I wanted to do this year but didn’t — because: family, kids, work, obligations, and so on…
That’s when I decided: since I’m living in New York now, since the rhythm of my life has shifted, since I have less help and rely more on myself — let’s see what I can actually get out of this. Let’s make space for the things that are just about me.
Like watching a film I actually want to watch. (I almost never watch films — by the time I figure out what to watch, the time is gone. And when my husband picks, it’s guaranteed to be something I have no interest in.)
And so the ideas kept coming. Every month, see a show or performance I choose — not what the whole family wants, what I want. If someone wants to join, great. If not, I’ll go alone. Every month, try a restaurant I picked. (Okay, I cheat here — I already try a new restaurant almost every week.) Every month, have lunch by myself. Every month, treat myself to some kind of wellness experience.
I used to see all of these things as luxuries I couldn’t really justify spending time on. But once I turned it into a challenge? Completely different story.
So, dear reader — this blog is about how I complete my 2026 challenge: how I, intentionally and internationally, make time for myself. And of course, along the way, I’ll be sharing everything else too — New York and beyond — because 2026 also needs to be squeezed for everything it’s got. 😊
Intentionally Internationally Me 