Hello 2026!
Recovering from the usual year-end rush and festive break.
[Photo: A traditional Chinese stamp - engraved by a calligraphy master located along the ancient street of 書院門 (ShuYuanMen) in 西安 (Xi’An) ]
The stamp reads “When fish meets water” (如魚得水, rú yú dé shuǐ) is a Chinese proverb that describes a moment of natural fit and deep ease. Just as a fish moves effortlessly once it finds water, the phrase is used to describe people who have found the right environment, role, or companions — where their abilities flow freely and they can truly thrive.
It often carries a quiet sense of joy and relief: being understood, supported, and finally at home in what one does. In everyday use, it can refer to friendships, collaborations, or work situations where everything suddenly feels right, unforced, and alive.
Hello 2026!
A new year always feels like a small pause button — a moment to look back, take a breath, and gently ask: how did we get here?
When we began this Substack, we didn’t have a grand plan — just a shared curiosity about futures, a desire to think together, and a belief that learning is richer when it’s communal. Since then, we’ve published 37 posts, grown to 313 subscribers, and slowly shaped this space into something that feels… alive.
This Substack is, and will remain, an open-access resource — for curious futures thinkers, educators, practitioners, students, and fellow wanderers who enjoy asking “what if?” and “what else?” without needing all the answers.
As we step into 2026, we’ll continue this endeavour together. This is our community — yours as much as mine. Join us in the conversations, share reflections, ask awkward questions, challenge ideas kindly, and if you’re feeling brave, volunteer to host a Community Meet or help shape what comes next.
Thank you for being here.
Let’s keep imagining, learning, and futures-thinking together.
Here’s to another year of thoughtful questions and generous dialogue.
💬 If you’d like to collaborate or join the next phase of this research, reach out at nuranisah at gmail.com