AJ's Annual Gratitude Letter - 2026

Blink and it is December 31st already again! Phew there goes 2025 - it was the year of the snake, of shedding skin, of leaving behind the old and of loss and deep, deep sorrow. 2025 has been one of the hardest we’ve faced in over a decade. Not just in my own life and business, but also with so many friends and the leaders I walk with who are all trying to make sense of navigating life and work in this fast-changing world.

This is the 22nd year I have penned a letter to my future self to create a vision of how I

intend to grow over the next 12 months.

I am reminded that in the western world we aren’t so great at rituals and endings and so I want to take the time to celebrate the year we’ve had, even the struggles, with gratitude

and a belief that whatever happened was meant to be.

Special thank you to everyone for being in my world this year it was a challenging ride, a

tough slog at times and a joyful opportunity to cement what is most important in my life.

I am grateful for the care of the wonderful staff at Estia Health Tea Gardens where my dear pappa bear spent his last few years until his passing at the end of August. His final words to me many times “Have fun and enjoy your life.” I love you pappa bear and miss you every day. I am grateful to my brother Tristan for holding the administrivia of it all together and for always giving me big brother hugs. End of an era.

I am grateful to my love Michael for his constant, steady, support, his many weekends helping me renovate my investment properties and his crazy, silly, funny humour and singing that keeps me laughing and living. He has had a tough year of health challenges and mystery illnesses that benched him so many times and yet he still showed up for me and made me laugh.

I am grateful to the land where I live and my dogs Spirit, M’Bari and Sasha as they all remind me to stop and smell the grass, to run, to listen and to play. I am grateful to all my business partners and my team Marissa, Kate and Andrija for all the work we have created, delivered and collaborated on and the respect we extend to each other for showing up and serving leaders in the way we know best.

I am grateful to my clients for the trust they have in me, in the process, in themselves as we weave new workplace culture and leadership stories for their future. You are all awe inspiring and keep me on purpose.

I am grateful to the Grandmothers’ and the elders for continuing to teach me, walk by our sides and allow us to deepen our understanding as allies of what it means to walk right way, in harmony with the land, right way. Michael and my trip to the Flinders Ranges was truly magical and to witness him deepen in his spiritual path on Adnamatna land was a blessing to behold.

I am so grateful to my business mentors and guides, Taylor, Mike and Marlon, your grace in sharing your word and wisdom is deeply felt, sometimes pushed back against, but always respected and honoured.

Follow the link below to read AJ’s 2026 musings and vision for the year ahead.

Best wishes of the new year to all.

Read AJ's Full Annual Gratitude Letter