What’s in Store for 2026?
As expected, the holidays came and went as fast as anticipated. I was meant to be in Sydney for a few months — driving there this time — but life had other plans.
I’m in Melbourne! Training and caring for an adolescent dog, my little bro, and doing all I can as a live-in housekeeper, while mum and dad navigate their various health scares. This year is looking very different to what I thought it would. I thought I would be taking my screen acting to the next level, travelling a little bit, taking my new travel voiceover kit (thanks, Black Friday sales) for a spin.
A big ol’ pivot was needed. As was taking a realistic look at my current lifestyle, and what I can realistically achieve with my highly unpredictable workloads and responsibilities.
That all sounds really sad and stressful and depressing. And some of it is. I’m tired. Sometimes completely exhausted. But I’m happy. I’m fulfilled.
I just released not one, but three new audiobooks that I’m exceptionally proud of. I’m in the midst of editing a sequel to one of them — my favourite of the series so far, in fact! I’m finally working with another video game voice acting coach I was exceptionally excited to take classes with. I loosened myself up a lot physically and emotionally, training hard in my screen acting classes and voice work, and improved my singing.
Wait a minute?
Those were all goals I’d set like two years ago!
Aimee Smith would be so proud of me that setting goals… works?!
The funny thing is, I always feel like I’m manifesting things. I worry that my income is lacking and — oop! Wow, there’s an e-mail from one of my favourite repeat clients with another script. Crazy!
Truth is I’ve had my nose to the grindstone for longer than I realised. Even if I wasn’t accomplishing exactly the actions I’d set out for my goals on the timeline I’d set. It’s incredibly difficult, almost impossible, to do that, given the inconsistency of the industry we work in.
Despite that, I seem to thrive in the chaos. I strive to always be better. Be kinder. Reach out to people I enjoy being around when I’m thinking about them. Feeding my brain with art and media and conversation that inspires me. Taking my dog on walks when he screams at me as I try to just get this one last thing done.
What’s in store for me this year, then?
I’ve not a damn bloody clue. Truly. I’m still here recording voiceover for brand videos, e-learning, phone messages, video games and audiobooks, and playing lots of World of Warcraft with friends, like I always do. I’m learning. Growing. Living.
Most of all, I hope this year will be more full of meeting new people that inspire me. Who have empathy, and show compassion. I’ve been getting unspeakable amounts of joy and fulfilment from catching up with creative friends. People who have wonderful minds full of ideas that make me curious to hear what they do next, and hopefully come along for the ride with them.
This blog post is a little less market-y and a little more live-journal-y, because it’s my blog, and I can do what I want.
🙂