An End of Year Reflection — And Why 2026 Will Be More Intentional Than Ever
I never planned to become the nature play entrepreneur.
And I certainly didn’t plan to build a business that asked me to work harder, faster, and louder every year.
But here we are — at the end of another year — and what’s become crystal clear is this:
Children don’t need more.
They need better.
And so do we.
This year at Wild Gully, I’ve supported hundreds of children and families.
And across all of those experiences, one truth kept rising to the surface:
Children are not struggling because they are behind.
They are struggling because their nervous systems are overloaded.
And in the same way…
many adults are too.
The Signs I’ve Seen on Repeat This Year
Parents and educators have told me they’re noticing:
• Big emotions and refusals
• Children who are “holding it together” all day and melting down at home
• Increased anxiety, frustration, and shutdown
• Kids who seem capable — but exhausted
Society’s answer is still the same:
More structure.
More routines.
Earlier expectations.
Tighter control.
But this is the part everyone skips:
You cannot regulate a dysregulated nervous system with rules.
Learning, behaviour, and emotional regulation start in the body — not the calendar.
The Shift That Changed Everything (Again)
After more than 20 years in education, I’ve learned this the hard way:
When we change the environment, children change.
When movement comes before expectations.
When nature replaces noise.
When risk is guided, not removed.
When autonomy replaces constant correction.
Children soften.
They breathe.
They reconnect with themselves.
That’s not accidental.
That’s intentional.
And it’s exactly how Wild Gully was built.
2026 Is About Depth — Not More
Here in Australia, January is summer.
It’s the long stretch of school holidays where life slows down, routines soften, and families reconnect.
For years, my business didn’t reflect that reality.
I worked right up to Christmas.
I planned events through the holidays.
I pushed through seasons that were meant for rest.
And every year, something felt off.
So this year, I changed it.
January is now protected.
More rest.
More slow mornings.
More nature time.
More being present — not producing.
But it didn’t “just happen.”
I had to put the boundary in.
I had to restructure how I offer services.
I had to be willing to say no — even to good ideas.
And here’s what I’ve learned:
Your business should support your life — not compete with it.
What 2026 Will Contain
As we move into 2026, Wild Gully is becoming more focused, not busier.
2026 will contain:
• Fewer, deeper offerings
• Clear frameworks families and educators can understand and trust
• Productised knowledge so more people can access this work without burnout
• Experiences that prioritise nervous system regulation, autonomy, and risk-aware play
• Stronger boundaries around time, energy, and seasons
I’m building spaces that feel calm, capable, and grounded — for children and adults.
What 2026 Will Not Contain
Just as importantly, 2026 will not include:
• Overpacked schedules
• Services that drain energy without impact
• Content created just to “keep up”
• Pressure to grow for growth’s sake
• Apologies for doing things differently
I’m not interested in louder.
I’m interested in truer.
The Bigger Picture
We are raising — and supporting — children in a rapidly changing world.
AI will give answers.
Technology will move faster than we can predict.
But the children who will thrive are the ones who can:
• Regulate themselves
• Think critically
• Assess risk
• Adapt when things don’t go to plan
• Trust their own judgement
Those skills are built in nature.
Through movement.
Through play.
Through being trusted.
This is the work Wild Gully will continue to do — deeply, intentionally, and with integrity.
If This Feels Like You…
If you’ve felt the tension between:
What society tells you children need
and what your instincts say they actually need…
If you’re craving less rushing and more meaning —
for your child, your classroom, or your family —
Take this as your sign.
It’s safe to:
• Choose a slower pace
• Let go of what no longer fits
• Build a life and learning environment that supports regulation, not pressure
2026 doesn’t need to be bigger.
It needs to be better.
And if you’re ready for that —
Wild Gully is here 🌿
— Leanne
Wild Gully Therapy & Nature Play
Bundaberg
