Why I keep the same hobby resolutions

Every January brings the same familiar questions for tabletop wargamers and miniature painters: What do I want to achieve this year? How many miniatures will I paint? Will I actually play more games? And perhaps most importantly, will I still be saying the same things next January?

In this accompanying video, I take a relaxed and honest look at my New Year’s hobby resolutions for 2026, which, somewhat suspiciously, are almost identical to the ones I set last year. Not because I failed to keep them, but because they worked. Rather than chasing grand, unrealistic goals, I explain why I treat resolutions as a personal hobby mission statement — ambitious enough to be motivating, but realistic enough to survive contact with real life.

The video explores three core resolutions. First, painting more miniatures — not in terms of raw numbers, but by maintaining momentum, completing projects, and keeping the painting desk active throughout the year. Second, playing more tabletop wargames, supported by keeping a long-running Battle Log to track games played, outcomes, and trends. While 2025 was a strong year for wins, it didn’t include as many games as hoped, making this a key focus for the year ahead. Third, I talk about developing the YouTube channel itself, reflecting on the growth of the community, the importance of conversation and feedback, and plans to produce more battle reports and discussion-led content.

This isn’t a productivity lecture or a motivational speech filled with unrealistic promises. Instead, it’s a friendly, inclusive hobby conversation aimed at historical wargamers, miniature painters, and tabletop gamers who want to enjoy their hobby more consistently without turning it into a source of guilt or pressure.

If you’ve ever set hobby goals with the best intentions only to abandon them by February, this video offers a more forgiving, sustainable approach — one that values enjoyment, progress, and community over perfection.