5 Things Your Cats Can Teach You for the New Year

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In this New Year solo episode of Tails & Tassels, I’m reflecting on five lessons my cats, Lion-o and Luna, taught me in 2025 – and how I’m carrying those lessons into the year ahead.

Instead of resolutions or pressure to reinvent yourself, this episode is about rest, boundaries, consistency, play, and knowing when it’s time to walk away. These quiet lessons shaped a big transitional year for me and are guiding how I’m approaching 2026 with more ease, intention, and sustainability – both creatively and personally.

If you’re a creative, a cat parent, or someone craving a softer start to the New Year, this episode is for you.

Stay Connected:

• Follow Tails and Tassels on Instagram: @tailsandtasselspod
• Follow Catbaret on Instagram: @catbaretshow
• Visit Catbaret’s website: catbaretshow.com

Got a question or a story about your cat? 🐱 I’d love to hear from you! Message me on Instagram or email tailsandtasselspod@gmail.com.

Transcript

Gemma Smith (00:00)
Hello, hello, kitty cats — and welcome back to another episode of Tails & Tassels, the show where you learn about the lives of burlesque and nightlife performers, their craft, their cats, and how the two worlds intertwine.

I’m your host, Gemma Smith. By day, I work in animal welfare, and by night, I host Catbaret, New York City’s cat-themed variety show. And today is our annual Mew Year’s episode.

Last year, I shared my New Year ritual and reflected on 2024 and my hopes for 2025. But this year, instead of resolutions or big goals, I wanted to reflect on something simpler — my cats.

2025 was a big transitional year for me. I produced three Catbaret shows and started a new job in animal welfare. And when I looked back, I realized my two cats quietly taught me a lot this year.

So this episode is about what my cats taught me in 2025 — and what our cats can teach us as we head into 2026.

Gemma Smith (01:10)
The first thing my cats taught me this year: rest isn’t earned — it’s required.

Cats rest before they’re exhausted. They don’t push through just to prove something. And this year, I realized I sometimes wait until I’m depleted to pause — creatively and professionally — and that caught up with me in 2025.

Do you ever experience burnout because you keep pushing and think, I’ll rest when it’s done? Cats don’t do that. They rest regularly — and we can, too.

Rest isn’t a reward. It’s part of staying well and creative. So here’s to more cat naps in 2026.

Gemma Smith (02:33)
The second thing my cats taught me: walk away when something’s done.

Cats don’t linger in spaces that feel off. There’s no dramatic exit, no overthinking — they just leave.

A few things in 2025 didn’t end loudly for me. They just stopped feeling like a fit. Projects, expectations, ways of working — maybe even people or jobs.

My cats taught me that not everything needs closure or an explanation. Sometimes you can simply walk away from what no longer serves you.

Gemma Smith (03:45)
The third thing: consistency beats intensity.

Cats thrive on routine, not extremes. They don’t overdo it one day and disappear the next. This mirrors what’s worked for me with the podcast and producing shows.

Showing up steadily matters more than big bursts of effort — especially for creatives who swing between all-in and burned out.

As we head into the mew year, it’s a reminder that slow, consistent effort pays off more than perfection.

Gemma Smith (04:59)
The fourth thing my cats taught me: boundaries don’t need a justification.

My cats don’t over-explain their no. If they’re overstimulated, they remove themselves.

I spent a lot of time in 2025 learning where my energy actually goes — and that I don’t need to justify protecting my creative time or bandwidth.

It’s okay to say, I don’t have the bandwidth for this right now or I’m not available, but thank you for thinking of me. And that’s it.

Gemma Smith (06:05)
The fifth thing my cats taught me: play comes after safety.

This connects directly to my word of the year for 2025: play.

There was play — but I also worked really hard. Looking back, I see play was easier when I felt safe and supported. Cats only play when they’re regulated and secure.

That helped me give myself some grace. You can’t force fun — play shows up when the conditions are right.

Gemma Smith (07:16)
Choosing a word of the year is part of my New Year ritual. For 2026, the word that keeps coming up for me is ease.

Not doing nothing — but doing things with less force. Listening sooner instead of pushing longer. Creating from a place that feels sustainable.

That might look like batching work, recording multiple podcast episodes in one day, or planning projects more intentionally.

My cats, Lion-o and Luna, live this way naturally — and I’m learning from them.

Gemma Smith (08:30)
This is also shaping how I’m approaching Catbaret in 2026.

I’m producing with more intention, not just momentum. I’ve already booked all three shows for the year and I’m batching casting, content, and sponsorship outreach.

I’m prioritizing community and joy over more. I need that reminder.

Selling out our last show, Meowloween, was a huge win — and I’m learning not to measure success by constant growth alone.

Gemma Smith (09:42)
Even if you’re not in New York City, Catbaret and this podcast are part of the same creative ecosystem — and you’re part of our community.

The New Year doesn’t have to mean reinvention. Sometimes it’s just about listening more closely — especially to the beings in our lives who already know how to rest, reset, and move on.

What did your pets teach you this year? What are you ready to carry forward — or leave behind?

Gemma Smith (10:55)
You can email me at tailsandtasselspod@gmail.com
or send me a DM on Instagram @tailsandtasselspod.

I’m so grateful to have you here — and for another year of creating, resting, and spending time with our kitty cats.

Until next time. 💛🐾