Rubber Ducky Copywriter

Confession: I started writing this intro five times. Every year, whether I post them here or not, I come up with a list of writer’s resolutions that I fully intend to carry out. They’re not for work. Or for my own personal growth.

My yearly writer’s resolutions are strictly for my journey as a writer.

And every year, life has its own ideas. This year, 2025, was no exception. This year has been one for the books. I’m not one to put much of my personal life online, and I don’t think I need to for most of you to agree: “Holy. Shit.“

Maybe that’s why so many writer’s resolutions fail. We mean well when we write them. Perhaps we want to protect them from life, which is why we list them separately from the other resolutions we intend to keep, but struggle to realize.

But writing is part of life. A big part. For me, an essential part.

My writer’s resolutions for 2026 look different than many other lists. Time for a new approach. One that incorporates my other good intentions because that’s what a writer’s life is: multi-faceted, full of ups and downs, non-linear, and not always measurable in conventional metrics.

I will block off three hours a week for writing.

Doesn’t have to be three hours at a time. Or even an hour at a time. But I will log my time in a cheap, no-frills log so that I will know I’ve gotten my weekly writing time.

I will delegate more so I’m less overwhelmed.

Since January, most of the housework has fallen on me. Taking on a heavy workload at my job and maintaining the home has left me with little time for much self-care outside of my job as a copywriter.

Time to start handing my sweet, loving husband (who never reads my blog) a weekly chore list.

I will clean up and clean out my home office.

I have an 8′ x 8′ room all to myself. Having a room (with a door!) all to myself (and the cat) is a luxury, and I understand how lucky I am to have it. Because of its small size, my room clutters easily. This space is not where good creative writing ideas come out to play.

I’m an adult who needs to clean her room. By this time in 2026, my Diva Den will be organized.

I will practice finishing.

Finishing is built-in to being a copywriter. Outside of my job, I get distracted or run out of steam. Letting myself off the hook and moving on to something else is too easy because life never runs out of distractions.

Even if what I’m working on is crap, and even if I write a crappy ending, I will end my creative writing work. Good note or sour, I won’t leave the story and the characters I create wondering what’s going to happen with themselves. I will finish.

I will practice good habits and let the results be whatever they’ll be.

I can hear the data-driven personalities cry out, “What?! What do you mean…you’re not defining metrics to hit? How will you know you’ve done well? Madness!“

Yes, yes…I hear you. A few years ago, I’d have agreed. I’m wiser now. Ending 2026 with any measurable results will be a win as a reflection that what I’m committing to here worked.

Metrics like number of posts published, articles submitted, competitions entered: those are all good. And if those writer’s resolutions speak to you, go for it.

For me, this year has been hard. The past several years have been difficult to the point I lost the foundation that made me love creative writing or blogging. And I miss my little blog.

In 2026, I’m rebuilding that foundation, this time with a healthy dose of the perspective and life lessons I’ve learned over the past few years.

• Life will always get in the way of your writing time at some point.
• You will not always have time, energy or inspiration to keep writing.
• Seasons of surviving and getting by will come…and they will go.
• You will lose your way without realizing it and wonder what happened.
• All of the above happens to every writer at some point. And it’s okay.

The important thing is to come back to the blank page. You’ll find other writer’s resolutions for 2026 on other writers’ websites. Jeff Goins has a pretty good list here. And they’re full of good advice. Seek them out, and take what resonates with you.

But the ones here are a good start for those of us who need to recenter.

‘Tis the season for joy and miracles and reflection and a fresh start. But let’s just all do the best we can. And for you, I hope you’re happy, well-fed, well-rested, and writing your happy little heart out in whatever way fulfills you.

Out of curiosity, I looked up my previous writer’s resolutions on Rubber Ducky Copywriter and found my first list from 2013, Resolutions. Wow, I was so adorable back then. “Fill four journals.” 🙂

Also, how have I been maintaining this blog for this long? Why has no one stopped me from putting my honest, authentic thoughts and ideas on the internet?

Bigger point… how has it been this long and my husband still doesn’t read my blog? What the shit, hubby?

Love, peace and squeaks. Your Faithful Ducky

Update: I just had to fix all of the years in the original post. This is where I am, y’all.