Favorite Things Of 2025 and Finds I'm Looking For In 2026

Annie Kroll
Jan 4
5 min read

Transparent, iridescent bubble floating against a cloudy sky over the ocean. Soft blue and pink hues create a calm, serene scene.

I was inspired by the YouTube videos where content creators highlight their favorite products of 2025, and I want to add my own spin. As we enter a new year, I want to highlight the top things I used in 2025 as someone with a disability, and the new things I am looking for in 2026.

1: Favorite fashion find: Depop

Black "depop" text centered on a vibrant red background, creating a bold and striking visual effect.

I recently found Depop both to sell clothes on and to buy clothes. Overall, I love this app. It is user friendly, and it is easy for me to find cute clothes in my size. I get great deals on more expensive brands that I love like Aviator Nation and Vuori, which meet my sensory needs but are expensive. By using Depop, I can buy high-quality clothes from brands I like at a discount while keeping clothes out of a landfill. I did get "scammed" once, where the item I got was damaged beyond the item listing, but I was able to get my money back easily. There are other thrifting apps, but this one has the best brands and is the easiest to use. The app can be downloaded in any app store.

2: Favorite Recipe: Pesto

Three bowls of pesto and pasta, the bowls and kitchen are white.

Can I list a favorite recipe if it is the only recipe I make? I love this pesto more than any pesto I get in a restaurant. It is dairy-free, has pine nuts for minimal protein, and only requires a food processor. We usually eat this with pasta, but when I feel fancy, I make chicken to go with it for protein. If there is interest, I will make a blog with the recipe. I am not sure where it came from, other than my mom texting it to me. Hopefully, other recipes will be added to my list next year.

3: Favorite school tool: Grammarly

I am not diagnosed with dyslexia, but if I read too quickly, I mix up B's, D's, and even P's. I can also mix up 6's and 9's. Spelling is also hard for me because I can't see the letters in my head. I say my spelling skills are like if you put letters in a blender and guess what will come out. It's a cruel joke because I love writing. Grammarly acts as a powerful spelling and grammar checker, and gives editing suggestions. I have to be careful with the AI components and make sure I am not letting it completely rewrite anything for me so all work is my own, but as a grammar tool it is helpful. I always cite it in my schoolwork to maintain ethical standards, and have found that I have to worry a lot less about finding typos. If you have been a long-time subscriber, the typos have gotten better with the addition of Grammarly.

4: Favorite Board Game: Backgammon

Backgammon board with wood checkers and two white dice showing two fives. The board has a geometric black pattern on a tan background.

I play backgammon almost every day. Because I am a creature of habit, I play in rounds of three. This game mixes strategy with luck, has a pretty case, and is fun to play. I would say board games might be a special interest, so I have to include a recommendation. Backgammon is my recommendation for a two-player, fast-paced game.

If you need a party game, I highly recommend Chameleon as a low-stakes social game. I am not good at Chameleon, unless the category is board games. Are we noticing a theme? While Chameleon does require some skills I don't have, I still find it fun with friends in a low-stakes setting. My tip- as the dealer, if I find I am the Chameleon, I redeal. Is that cheating? Probably. Has anyone noticed before now? Not really.

5: Favorite overstimulation tool- AirPod Pros

White wireless earbuds labeled "L" and "R" rest in an open charging case with a green indicator light, isolated on a white background.

I got the 3rd-generation AirPod Pros for Christmas. I use them all the time. I fall asleep listening to a video. I use the noise-canceling feature if anyone vacuums, because I feel very overstimulated with loud, constant noise. I like how compact they are, how comfortable they are, and how discreet they are when in my ears. I bought a case for them so I can clip them to my keys when I don't want to lose them or drop them. If I had one tool I could recommend for overstimulation in public, it is these because I can then play anything on my phone when overstimulated, and no one will know.

Next, I want to share five things I am looking for. If you have any recommendations, please leave a comment!

1: Moisturizer

I have what I think is oily skin in the summer, and combination/dry skin in the winter. I need a good moisturizer that doesn't feel texturally sticky, doesn't clog my pores, and doesn't feel too heavy. I have not been successful so far and don't wear moisturizer, and probably need it.

2: Sunscreen

Everything I hate about moisturizer is doubled by sunscreen. I have not found a non-sticky, non-pore-clogging, non-white-cast sunscreen that feels like I am not wearing sunscreen. When I go outside in the summer, I wear a hat. That is about as good as it gets for me, and my skin might not be happy.

3: Recipes

I did allude to this, but I want five easy crockpot or 1-2-pan recipes that are protein-heavy and low on gluten that I can make. I love carbs, so I'm not giving them up completely despite a 2025 diagnosis of IBD. But I want a staple of easy recipes that I can make on low-spoon, or low-energy days while managing a busy school schedule.

4: Sweaters

I want to try to find a couple of cropped sweaters that aren't itchy. For those who don't know, I love fashion, but if something is even 1% itchy, no matter how cute, I cannot wear it. I want soft sweaters, but don't know where to go because the nicer sweaters are made of wool, which is so itchy. And the fast-fashion sweaters start to fall apart faster, which is fine, but I am trying to buy less fabric made from plastic (like pleather, but I know there are others). Eventually, I will need a wardrobe that is not athleisure-based when I have a career.

5: Consistent Hobby

I see people who have an athletic hobby, such as surfing, running, playing a team sport, or even walking and talking. I also have friends who play instruments or like singing. I have a couple of casual hobbies, but it feels like it is so hard to find time for them outside of school, medical appointments, and socializing. My only consistent hobby right now is board games, but it requires another person to play with me. (Side note- I just learned how to play Rummikub, and I highly recommend it. Santa gave my family that game for Christmas).

Thank you for reading about my top products of 2025 and new products I am looking for in 2026. If you have any questions or comments, please comment on the blog, reach out at @Anniekrollblog on Instagram or Facebook, or email me at Anniekrollblog@gmail.com. I hope to see you next week!