I know what you're thinking — New Year's resolutions never work. I prefer to look at them more positively. I believe that resolutions have the potential to hold us accountable; At their best, resolutions can be achieved and we can celebrate that accomplishment at the end of the year, and at their worst, resolutions become more of a suggestion — a pipe dream, if you will — and we don't quite meet the mark we set in place. Regardless, I happen to like resolutions, and we here at Smokingpipes have a few pipe-smoking resolutions of our own for 2026.

Having failed year after year to adhere to my resolution to do a better job of caring for my pipes, I'm going to set myself a more modest goal than to emulate my laudably fastidious pipe-smoking colleagues. For 2026, I will endeavor to burn fewer holes in my clothing from stray pipe embers, particularly the nice shirts my wife gave me for Christmas. I think some sort of heat-resistant, pipe-smoking vest is in order.

My resolution this year is to step outside of my comfort zone and try blends from a wider variety of manufacturers. Cornell & Diehl was the first manufacturer I tried when I started pipe smoking, and while they will ALWAYS stay in my rotation, I've realized I should explore European blends more regularly. I recently tried HU Nashville County and found it phenomenal. It made me realize that I was limiting my smoking experience by staying in one lane. Simply put, my resolution is to smoke more things!

Even as a habitual cigar smoker, I do enjoy a pipe frequently. My 2026 resolution would be to further my tobacco knowledge and explore more pipe tobaccos that I wouldn't traditionally aim for. And maybe squeeze in a couple new pipes this year.

My resolution is to give Aromatics another shot. I tried them when I first got started but disliked them immediately. I recently re-tried Corn Cob and A Button Nose over the holidays and was shocked at how much I enjoyed it. Time to revisit some of the Aromatics I initially wrote off.

My new year's resolution is to focus on being more deliberate in my pipe smoking. At Laudisi, I have the immense privilege of being able to smoke at work. While this is great, it also leads to a bad habit of smoking "in the background" while working or just generally focusing on things other than enjoying the pipe. I was initially drawn to pipe smoking because of its more contemplative nature, and I want to make an effort to return to that as much as possible.

My backup resolution is to always have a packed pipe ready and on hand at all times so that I can take a few puffs any time an opportunity presents itself. I learned this move by watching Sykes at pipe shows, and frankly, it's brilliant.

For 2026, my primary goals are to slow down my smoking and improve my cadence, not just to keep my pipe lit more consistently but to remind myself to actually enjoy the tobacco I'm smoking, rather than try using it as an alternative fuel source when caffeine and proper sustenance are unavailable.

I also want to smoke through the many, many tins of tobacco I've opened but not finished in the quest to expand my horizons, and find at least one pure Virginia (or close) that I actually enjoy. Additionally, I want to keep up with maintenance more regularly so my stems don't get gross(er), and to more regularly include my artisan pieces in my rotation so I can better appreciate them with every bowl smoked.

My resolution is simple: Slow down and enjoy myself more. I smoke a lot while I work, or I smoke a lot for work if I'm doing a review of some sort but very rarely nowadays sit down and relax with a smoke. My goal is to smoke less idly and more intentionally. I may not puff away while writing the latest article but I can unwind with a bowl afterwards. I'm making small changes to reclaim my peace in these hectic, fast-moving times.

My pipe-smoking resolution for 2026 is somewhat abstract, but I would like to expand my collection of "eccentric classics," particularly those with Danish or Japanese inspirations, unique accents, or novel finishing techniques. It's a theme I've been developing for a few years without even really realizing it but the pipes I've favored lately tend to be classic shapes with a twist; Pipes like my all-black, horn-mounted Chimney from Chris Asteriou, or my slimline Bulldog from Abe Herbaugh, or my cheeky Danish Billiard with a bright yellow polyester stem from Askwith. Also, I really need to start carrying more pipe cleaners with me — I suspect my colleagues are getting a little tired of me "borrowing" them all the time.

My resolution for this year is to get better at understanding the subtle differences between the myriad products we have on-site, whether exotic materials or unique shapes that I might come across — essentially, striving to crack the complicated parts of my role.

What are your pipe-smoking resolutions for 2026? Let us know in the comments section, and may you have many happy smokes this new year!