Brainstorming what I should do for my New Year challenge for 2026. I like having a loose theme for the year that levels me up a bit. Usually it is some sort of drum thing.

Past challenges were stuff like learning jazz and linear drumming. It isn’t always drums though.

For the upcoming year I am kind of leaning towards a music listening challenge.

One idea is to only listen to music released in 2026. Another idea is to only listen to Japanese music. I haven’t settled on it yet and there are still two weeks to go.

I keep flipping sides on drum or listening even as I write this. I really should choose an area that takes something that makes me nervous or anxious and level that up.

If I went that route then it would be podcasting. Talking in a microphone makes me anxious for sure. We’ll see.