Side quests 2026

Happy New Year! As someone who generally wants to do all of the things, all of the time, a new year can become a little cumbersome. Enter: my side quests 2026.

These are the ultimate solution—a way for me to avoid over-committing and burn out, while also embracing the exciting and fresh energy of a new year.

The gist: originally created by Amanda, side quests offer a low-pressure approach to ideas and adventures to try to incorporate over the next year, in lieu of rigid resolutions and lofty promises.

If I make some of them happen, great. If not, no worries. To me, they’re secondary plot lines, characterization, backstory details—all coming together to build a well-crafted story of a year.

This is my fourth time side quest’n, and I envision a 2026 packed with connection, joy, creativity, and plenty of sunshine.

Here they are: my casual, low-stakes, fun, low-pressure side quests 2026.

2026 Side Quests

1. Write a short story
2. Book a paid modeling gig
3. Hit 5k 
4. Try a new hobby
5. Get a community pool membership (and go as often as possible!)
6. Read 26 books
7. Walk Wally to the river once a week
8. Get a tattoo
9. Take a class
10. Ride my bike
11. Knock out a chunk of my novel
12. Familiarize myself with 52 new musical artists
13. Sit outside in the sun as often as possible
14. Travel somewhere new
15. Lead with whimsy
16. Fall back in love with pickleball
17. Thrift more than buy new
18. Collaborate with a local business, artist, or photographer
19. Learn a new skill
20. Go skating or rollerblading 
21. Take vitamins
22. Leave the house on weeknights (don’t save living for the weekend!)
23. Get facials / skin treatments every few months
24. Complete a house project
25. Go to the batting cage by myself
26. Work in a coffee shop 2x a month

So, there you have it: 26 low-pressure, no-big-deal ideas to live a life that’s simply true to me.

Review of my 2025 side quests

25 side quests for 2025

1. Lean into curiosity ✅
2. Read (at least) 25 books
3. Prioritize skincare ✅
4. Thrift more than purchase new (clothes especially) ✅
5. Play pickleball as often as possible ✅ (gonna give this a half!)
6. Aim for 100 barre classes
7. Write another chunk of my novel
8. Go on a winter trip ✅ (So thankful we went to Fort Lauderdale!)
9. (Actually) run a 5k
10. Dive into UGC ✅
11. Increase my daily steps 
12. Ride my bike
13. Rollerblade (lol)
14. Get a *sick* tattoo ✅✅✅
15. Collaborate with a local company ✅
16. Re-do our guest bedroom ✅
17. Travel somewhere new ✅ (Nashville, Oshkosh, Fox Cities, Thiensville)
18. Use our state parks pass
19. Go to Chicago casually ✅
20. Publish my existing short story ✅
21. Nail down a signature dish + cocktail 
22. FaceTime my parents more ✅
23. Go dancing ✅
24. Blog consistently ✅
25. Take 3 weekend trips ✅

Onward

As you can see, there were some side quests accomplished, many not. There were quite a few that I realized maybe didn’t serve me, after all. That flexibility—the ability to evolve and change my mind and be a fluid human—is exactly what I love most about this idea.

So??? Fill me in! What are your side quests for 2026?

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