Shark Week 2026
We celebrated another successful Shark Week in July! I started this tradition several years ago, when I was stuck in a job I didn’t like and feeling sorry for myself for being at work instead of watching Shark Week. I made a promise to myself that, one day, I would show my gratitude for financial freedom by spending the whole week celebrating—and so we have. The truth is, it’s not really about the sharks. It’s about remembering how fortunate we are and appreciating the lives we get to live.
Our celebrations have changed a bit over the years, but our commitment has never waned. I didn’t catch many episodes on the Discovery Channel this year, but I did see one about a World War II warship that the Japanese sank. An estimated 900 sailors made it into the water, but only 316 survived, with an estimated 150 killed by sharks. I had never heard this story, and I was fascinated by how it connected two of my favorite subjects.
As I was decorating this year, I was struck by how much of our decor has come to me as gifts. There are traditional pieces that go in the same place every year, including “Bruce,” the inflatable shark that hangs above the kitchen, but many of the other pieces were given to us by friends and family through the years. I’ve been gifted coasters, t-shirts, shark-themed baked goods, toys, books, and cards. I am especially grateful for the handmade pieces that hold such places of honor in our home, including the shark tail from my friend Cindy and the beautiful quilt created by my friend Stephanie.
This year, we had a Shark Week party that included shark-themed sweet treats and gifts, lunch, and a swim party. Jameson even took some time to look through our photo albums and see images of previous Shark Week celebrations.
I love this tradition, and each year it becomes a little more deeply embedded in our family lore. What began as a promise I made during a difficult season has grown into a joyful reminder of how much can change—and how much we have to be grateful for. The sharks make it fun, but the people, memories, and gratitude are what make the week truly worth celebrating.
