Houston Chronicle columnist Joy Sewing with New York journalist Juan Michael Porter II at ChopnBlok in Houston on Jan. 6, 2026. Porter is one of the nation's leading journalists covering HIV/AIDS.

I used to believe in the standard New Year’s resolutions: lose weight, eat healthy, save more money.

For some people, declaring those intentions is enough to keep them on track for the rest of the year. That never worked for me.

This year, I’m trying something different. My 2026 intention is to stay more deeply connected to my people and my city.........

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