A few of my 2026 goals

ty for being my forced accountability buddy

I’m a resolution girly. I like having clear objectives and things to aim for (as well as actionable steps to get me there).

That doesn’t mean that sometimes I’m not highly unrealistic, but… let a gal dream, ok?

So, to keep me accountable and because I always find it interesting to know what people are striving for, I thought I’d share with you my hopes and dreams for 2026.

Well, just a few professional ones to keep me honest.

🎂 Work on my cake decorating skills

Nothing too wild, but in a clean and simple way.

I’ve got almost 0 patience for the finer details - oftentimes I just don’t care - but it’s nice to have the skillset for when the time calls for it. While I can do veryyyyy mild piping, I’d like to be able to consistently assemble and prettify a cake that could be presentable if I so desired.

🤝 Find more visible ways to give back

I truly believe that volunteering is one of the best ways to be the best human being. There’s something incredibly grounding in realizing how much bigger the world is than just your own.

That being said, it’s hard to find ways to showcase this and help others find opportunities, without seeming holier than thou. I’ve said it before, but I’m not here for quiet charity - where it’s not “proper” to talk about where you put your time and money. The environment and the world need us to show up, visibly, so my goal is to find more ways to do that.

I have my eye on a few opportunities, but if you have any you recommend or think would be great to highlight, please comment, DM, and/or email me, and I’ll check them out!

👯 Make more recipes from OTHER people

You can only learn so much on your own, which I think anyone who has operated as a one-human-show in any field can understand.

When you start in the realm of recipe development, it’s easy to almost feel like you have to keep only promoting your own recipes - cause otherwise you’re no good at it… right? No.

I LOVE trying other people’s bake,s and I always learn so much from different recipes, whether it’s a certain technique, a flavor blend, workflow, etc. So I want to do more to try out recipes (and showcase them) on my feeds, in blend with my own creations.

📸 Try different content styles

This is one that likely will ebb and flow (probably forever), but when you start to find what syncs with the algorithm or your audience, it feels counterintuitive almost to do anything BUT that. Which also can then screw you down the line if you dare try another format.

While I want to hold true to my voice, I’m also not one-dimensional. I think sometimes VO content (where I talk over the video while you see me doing my thang), even if you’re sharing personal anecdotes, can lack that natural, “this is me,” vibe.

This goal also incorporates not just the editing but the format as well. Including more photos, carousels, etc.

And maybe you’ll hate them, and they won’t perform. But that’s ok, I’m gonna try it anyway.

👩‍💻 Qualify for ads on my website

Please don’t groan. PLEASE. I promise my goal is never ever to have the ad coverage where my site is basically unable to function, or you can’t read a recipe, without the page crashing.

However, one of the ways that recipe developers make money is through some type of paid element. Be that a membership fee or seeing an ad for your local grocery store pop up in the middle of the cookie dough explainer.

If I’m gonna be able to keep doing this and make a stable income to live off of, ad placements are key, at this point, for me. Which requires a lot of backend labor that has been one hell of a learning curve these last, almost two years.

Speaking of which, I have been doing SO MUCH backend work on my website as well as front end tweaks, so if you haven’t checked it out in a minute, go take a peek and see what’s new :)

🐈‍⬛ BONUS (not so much a goal, but an objective):Be very strategic about the brands I work with.

I’ve shared this before, but I want to align with brands that go beyond the final result. Those that produce not only quality but also think about their impact on the environment, the workers, and their consumers. In a world where materialism and consumerism are so incredibly heightened, I don’t want to push a brand for a paycheck or for you to spend your money on, when I don’t believe in them.

I want to be someone you can trust to give an honest review (good or bad), and if I promote something, I really, truly back it. But also, we need to hold brands accountable for their goods - because while there are many shortcuts (and we all take them, so I’m not judging a hack), some things shouldn’t be sacrificed.

Otherwise, it’s icky. And I’m not for that.

Here’s to another year of delicious recipes, chasing the sunlight for the pretty shots, hopefully some travel, and getting to build a really lovely community with all of you.

Happy New Year!!

✨Hannah

Follow @accentgolden on Instagram and TikTok if you don’t already, for all the latest (and to see how we’re tracking against these goals throughout the year)!

P.S. If you’re looking for a cause to support, let it be the MDA. They fund critical research on neuromuscular diseases while also supporting families with access to care and financial assistance. Head here to support.