New Year, New View (Literally)
The wrapping paper is recycled. The leftovers are (mostly) gone. And as we stare down the barrel of 2026, everyone is talking about resolutions. Gym memberships. Budget apps. Screen time limits.
But this year, instead of adding something to my "To Do" list, I decided to change what I see.
We love our historic Victorian here in Biddeford—it’s been the perfect home base for us. But after a busy holiday season, I found myself craving a little bit of the silence and deep winter stillness I grew up with in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut. I wanted my workspace to feel less like a busy command center and more like a sanctuary for the year ahead.
So, for my first project of 2026, I didn't renovate a room. I just hacked my view.
If your resolution is to find more peace and focus this year, you don't need to move to a monastery (or a cabin in the woods, much as we might dream about it). You just need to build a "Watchtower."
Here is the simple design change I made to start the New Year on higher ground.
The "Snow Globe" Reset
The biggest distraction for me isn't my phone; it’s the street. Seeing the cars and the pavement keeps my brain in "go" mode. I wanted my brain in "create" mode.
1. The "Sill Forest"
I took the bottom six inches of my window sash—the part that frames the street—and curated it. I lined the sill with items that have weight and history: vintage hardbound books, amber glass, and winter greens.
• The Shift: Suddenly, the "suburbs" disappear. When I sit at my desk now, my view is edited down to just the snowy treetops and the sky. It’s a visual filter that deletes the noise of the outside world.
2. The Analog Lighting
To set the tone for a calmer year, I’ve banned the harsh overhead light. I’m sticking to a single, warm desk lamp. It creates a pool of focus that feels intentional, like a lantern in a library.
3. The Sound of Focus
Silence can feel anxious, but nature feels grounded. I’ve started playing "Winter Wind" or "Deep Woods" tracks while I work. It grounds the room and makes the "sill forest" feel real.
Entering 2026 Grounded
My wish for you in this New Year isn't just that you achieve your goals, but that you find a place in your own home where you can hear yourself think.
You don't need a new zip code to find peace (though a ski trip helps!). Sometimes, you just need to arrange a few books, dim the lights, and change your perspective.
Here’s to a grounded, cozy, and clear-eyed 2026.
Happy New Year,
— Mike