Hey y’all, it’s ya girl! I’m Vilissa Thompson, a woman who wears many hats & goes by many titles. If you’re new here, I’m a: macro social worker, writer, speaker, consultant, and Founder of Ramp Your Voice! I’m also a visionary, creative, and currently establishing the second act of my career with new and exciting projects.
Thank you for reading and subscribing! This newsletter is for YOU - those who may be new to me and those who are “long time listener, first time reader. This newsletter gives you a bird’s eye view of who I am, what I’m getting into, and what I’m working on.
Photo of a Black woman with her hair parted and hanging down straight. She is smiling and facing the camera sideways in her wheelchair. She is outside under the tree branches while wearing a white and black dress.
Patron Saint of Boundaries
Returning Back to the Basics in the New Year
Over my Holiday break, I read this article about the analog bag, and realized that I’ve been doing this for my porch time in the warm weather for years.
An analog bag (can be a basket, tote, etc.) is where you store your books, notebooks/planners, craft items, etc., so that these items are in reach when you want to move from room to room in your house, or go outside, travel, and the like.
The whole point is to reduce screen time and gravitate towards the activities that bring you joy or ease. The YouTubers I’ve watched have all of their goodies in their bags, and share what a difference it has made for them to get more intentional about their hobbies and quality time offline.
It got me to thinking - this is what I loved doing in full before I got heavily on social media, and what I enjoy about being outside during the Spring and Summer months. This is going back to the basics — the actions that not only comfort us, but remind us to stop and breathe when the world feels too much.
Did I make myself an analog bag for the Winter? You bet I did. Though I yearn to use this bag when Spring arrives, having it in the house makes me reach for it so that I can fully unplug when work is done for the day. My analog bag has - the latest wine book I’m studying, a notebook, a monthly calendar, pens/highlighters, a journal, and my Kindle. These are the items that will be with me as I impatiently await Spring, but will keep me grounded.
Returning back to the basics in 2026 - a priority, not an option.
Unapologetically HER:
Ringing in 2026 with an NYE Staycation
Image: Vilissa is wearing a blanket hoodie on New Year's Eve. The hoodie is white and fluffy, with various types of drinks printed on it.
I brought in the new year with a staycation in Charlotte, NC and it was lovely! I did absolutely nothing but stay in the hotel room for a week, and took a nap every day.
While there, I thought about how 2025 went, and what I’d want 2026 to be and feel like. The conclusion? More rest and fun; less stress and agitation.
When I returned back home, I got to work on my vision board and manifesto for the year, and brainstormed how I want my work life to be different. Now that I am back to work in full, it’s nice to begin slowly implementing the subtle changes and be excited to see how things unfold.
The staycation did what I needed it to do - rejuvenate and allow me the spacious to recalibrate. I’m grateful for it.
Image: This was the desk & entertainment area in Vilissa’s staycation room. She brought a variety of treats, snacks, a plushie, notebooks, and devices. The hotel provided the TV, of course.
My Faves!!
These are a few of my favorite things…
Speaking of returning back to the basics - my favorites for this month are revisiting my love for doing word searches and reading comic strips.
I decided to figure out how to read comic strips online since I don’t subscribe to a newspaper. I have a few options to consider and hope to restart this passion by the end of the month.
As far as doing more word searches, I found a book that has a word search puzzle for every day of the year. I purchased it a bit late in the month, but all that means for me is - I get to do multiple word searches a day until I’m caught up to the current date. I love word searches, and it’s one of my brain game hobbies I like to do to pass time.
Here’s a challenge for all of you - what activities from your childhood can you incorporate in 2026? Whether it’s coloring, journaling, crocheting, doing puzzles - go explore that need to tap into the peaceful space where time was still and you were in your zone.
Take Action
With all of the world’s chaos, what I urge you to do this year - figure out “your place.”
Do you crochet? Cook? Like to read to the kids, or visit the elderly in the community centers? Do you like to volunteer? Use those interests to find your place in the chaos we’re experiencing.
We ALL can do something, whether it’s big or small, a little or a lot. Feeling helpless can cause us to freeze up and keep us from being proactive. Whatever “your place” is, find it and be steady in it in 2026. If we want to see things change, using your strengths to move society forward will be monumental to our neighbors and neighborhoods, both near and far.
Until Next Time…
2026 is here, and it’s on us to find the glimmers for the next 11 months. Claim yours - you deserve to do so.