It’s almost my birthday, which means I’m deep in my reflective era.
In this episode, I’m sharing my Ins & Outs of 2026—a realistic, honest reset that’s less about resolutions and more about direction.

From health wake-up calls and career focus to reclaiming my rizz, learning how to DJ, and finally letting go of burnout, pettiness, and constant overworking—this episode is about choosing sustainability, softness, and intention as I enter a new year of life.

If you’re feeling hopeful but tired, motivated but cautious, or just figuring things out as you go, this one’s for you.

I blinked and 2025 was over… and I honestly couldn’t remember what I even enjoyed. So naturally, I made an awards show about it.

In this episode of Down in the Dumplings, I’m hosting the first ever Golden Chopstick Awards — my extremely subjective recap of the music, food, pop culture chaos, small businesses, and random comforts that got me through this year.

We’re covering:
✨ SEVENTEEN’s Happy Burstday, THE8’s “Skyfall,” and why J-Hope’s Hope on the Stage tour genuinely stunned me
🍜 My food obsessions of the year — from malatang spirals to Bafang Dumpling and post-concert late-night eats
☕ Café culture highlights, including Toro/Tea, Thank You Coffee, and my undying love for the decaf espresso tonic
🎁 An Emotional Support Trinket Award (yes, Pop Mart Crybabies made the list)
📺 And the most important question of all: why did The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 have such a chokehold on me when I didn’t enjoy a single episode?

This episode is part reflection, part comfort listen, part “is this just what being online in 2025 felt like?” If you’re also trying to figure out what this year even was, you’re not alone.

It’s been a minute — so we’re catching up.

In this mailbag episode, I’m answering listener questions and sharing honest updates on where my life is right now: love languages, coffee orders, career twists, work-life balance, concerts that kept me sane, and the very real experience of not hitting life milestones on your own timeline.

We talk about choosing stability over hustle, taking a break from a passion project, redefining success in your late 30s, and why sometimes the biggest growth happens during the “quiet” seasons of life.

This episode feels like sitting down with a friend over coffee and doing a full life debrief — comfy, reflective, and a little self-deprecating.

If you’re feeling stuck, in-between, or just need a reminder that you’re not behind, this one’s for you. 🥟💛

You can reach me on Instagram at: @downinthedumplings

New episodes on Thursdays.