There’s something about the start of a new year that naturally invites time for reflection. A moment to look back at where you’ve been and gently ask yourself where you’re going next. As I look back on this past year, I’m filled with so much gratitude. It was a year of growth, change, and a lot of intentional decisions. Some exciting and some uncomfortable, but all very necessary.
This year, our family made a big move. Literally! We moved closer to work, closer to the rhythm of our everyday life, and closer to the things that matter most to us. Along with that came a new school for the kids. Change can definitely be scary, especially when it involves your family, but watching them flourish has been one of the greatest gifts of the year. The girls have fallen in love with gymnastics. Discovered a new creative outlet with piano, and Enzo is absolutely thriving in baseball and soccer. Seeing their confidence grow as they pour their hearts into their passions has been incredibly rewarding to witness.
Professionally, this year marked a huge milestone for Racquel Aesthetics! We opened our second Racquel Aesthetics & Wellness location in Kirkwood and officially expanded into Wellness with the launch of our wellness program. This has been something I had my heart set on for a long time. Supporting people not just in how they look, but in how they feel, function, and live their lives has been such a powerful evolution of our mission.
In the midst of all the growth and busy schedules, one thing I’m especially proud of is the commitment Sal and I made to weekly date nights. Protecting that time has reminded me how important it is to nurture the relationships that ground you, especially when life feels full and chaotic.
As I step into 2026, my number one goal is simple:
Decide what kind of life you actually want… then say no to everything that isn’t that.
We often spend so much time dreaming about what we want the future to look like, but the real work comes in the everyday choices. The boundaries we set. The habits we keep. The things we say yes to, and maybe more importantly, the things we finally say no to.
The beautiful thing is that at any point in time, we can decide to be different. We can wake up tomorrow and choose to show up differently than we did yesterday. We can choose discipline over excuses, intention over autopilot, and purpose over pressure.
As we move into this new year, my hope for you is that you give yourself permission to be honest about what you truly want. Say yes to the things that light you up and set your soul on fire. Say no to what pulls you away from your goals. Trust that clarity comes from action, not perfection.
Here’s to a year of intentional living, meaningful growth, and choosing a life that truly feels like yours. I have a feeling 2026 is going to be one for the books! Happy New Year! ✨
XO,
Racquel
