new year, not really a new me
I am writing this post from New Orleans, where we will be to start the new year. It is turning out to be decidedly not very vacation-like. Traveling for a medical procedure, we aren’t able to have our little guy with us. So of course, I’m missing him as if I were missing my own lungs - unable to deeply draw a real breath. Tomorrow I’ll be on a fasting protocol before the procedure, immune to the siren calls of the NOLA food scene. My husband has symptoms that seem suspiciously like the flu, but we have an unspoken agreement that we will not fully acknowledge its presence until I am through my procedure tomorrow afternoon. Napping sounded better than walking, so we’ve hunkered down in our Airbnb with plans for a delivery from DoorDash later. We won’t be leaving today.
But miraculously, the bungalow where we are staying has a well-supplied record player, pour-over coffee, high ceilings, natural light, and plants that are thriving. This is the stuff of writing for me, and so I decided to capture some of my contemplations about the new year.
It has always been easy for me to fall into the trap of setting grandiose goals for the new year. I love a fresh start, and something to strive towards. However, the followthrough on those goals doesn’t typically pan out. There’s always the consolation that a new year will be starting soon and I can try again.
But in more recent years, I’ve found that less stringent microgoals serve me better. I take stock of what is important to me, but aim for the little tangible steps that urge me closer to that.
Last year, I was talking with one of my closest friends about resolutions. We didn’t come up with anything specific, generally lamenting the idea of them. She jokingly said she wanted to ‘just be better.’ I sent her back this proposition: just be better. And that stuck with me. So rather than forge ahead with grand ambitions, I am in the season of being; of taking in, soaking up, resting in.
So, while I am looking ahead at the new year with a fresh sense of expectation for the good that is to come, I am also giving grace to myself; as a chronic overachiever, I am not necessarily trying to achieve much. I am more so aiming to feel a sense of joy, calm, gratitude, appreciation, and community. To just be a steady, regulated anchor in this world that feels so dark and chaotic right now. And so, I’ll share a few of the ways I hope to bring in this intention in the new year.
planner reset
One of my monthly rituals is setting up my paper planner. It truly brings me so much joy to keep a physical planner and journal - I was raised on Lisa Frank stationery, what can I say? I am a tactile learner, so writing out dates and reminders helps me actually remember them. It also helps me stay grounded, as I integrate habit trackers and microgoals that support my whole self.
I’ve tried out many planners over the years, and one of my past iterations included a monthly rating of the following areas of my life: business & career, finance, personal development, relationship & romance, family & friends, fun & recreation, spiritual, and health & fitness. At the time, I was teaching and so heavily focused on my career that all the other areas were afterthoughts. Once I started considering ways to balance out my energy across these areas, it really did impact the way I approached my relationships and time. So although I don’t use that planner any more, I’ve carried the idea of setting little monthly tasks in each area so I can aim for a more well-rounded and balanced life, without putting pressure on myself if I don’t happen to check off the tasks.
Here’s a snapshot of my January list. I may or may not reach them, but seeing them in my planner makes it more likely that I will get to them than I would otherwise.
embroidery journal
Once again, I’m a sucker for a paper journal. Last year I created an Embroidery Journal to track my projects, and this year it is fun to look back and see projects I created, and list out others I have in my sights for next year. Bringing crafting into my life helps me relieve some of the stress I carry.
This journal also helps if I want to recreate something I’ve done in the past - I have the colors, designs, and notes to go back to. So as I look ahead to next year, I’m enjoying reflecting on last year and planning new things to come for the year ahead.
Since I’ve gotten more into sewing this past year, I’m considering how I might adapt this to create a sewing journal as well. We’ll see!
block of the month quilting subscription
I mentioned this in my last post, but last year I subscribed to the Sweet Potato Quilt Co. Block of the Month Party, where each month a PDF pattern of a quilt block was released. I was excited to learn some new quilting skills, and as the months progressed I grew more precise and confident in my quilting. But more than that, it was something that got me into a state of flow, where I could relax, challenge myself, and create.
It was a form of rest, rejuvenation, joy, and creativity for me. I still have two blocks to complete, the quilt top to piece and the actual quilting to go, but I am thinking I will continue with another one for the new year. In a year that was so bleak, having something like this to look forward to each month really did help.
For the coming year, I’m considering signing up for Eudaimonia Studio’s hand + soul block of the month. Not only does it include a monthly quilt block, but it includes journal prompts and reflections, and as I’ve said, the written word, reflection, journaling - they do something for me. So I will probably make the plunge. Let me know if you sign up for this - I’d love a buddy!
storygraph
You may be noticing a pattern. I am a nerd. I used to try to camouflage that part of myself, but nope - not doing it anymore.
I adore reading. I think it’s partially why I became an educator. I wanted to share that love with others. And so, when I learned about apps that could track all of the books you’ve read, I was a goner. I literally stayed up for HOURS the first night I downloaded Goodreads, cataloguing any books I could remember ever reading and creating my ‘to read’ list.
Then, my cousin introduced me to Storygraph - which is importantly not owned by Amazon - I transferred all my data over (which they can do really smoothly), and have been happily tracking my nerdiness there. If you have an account, let’s connect! I love recommendations and seeing what others are loving.
Anyways, there’s the option to create a reading goal for the year. Last January I set a goal to read 60 books, and am sitting at 62 at the end of the year. I’m not sure how this happened in tandem with a growing, energetic toddler, but it’s fun to track progress against a goal that I don’t hold too tightly.
This year I’m gently setting a goal of 52 books, without any real pressure. Whether or not I reach it, I will be reading. I love the app more for the record of what I’ve read than anything. Each year, as I look back on what I read, it tells a story of my year and where I was mentally and emotionally. I’m looking forward to tracking my reading journey in the year ahead.
Bingo cards & punch cards
Okay, admittedly I haven’t tried this yet, but I love the idea of getting together with friends to make punch cards with some of the things you would like to do throughout the year. This could be as low-stakes as you want it to be - visit 12 different bookstores, make 12 new recipes, read 12 books, ET CETERA. Put together some paints and markers, and design a little way to hold each other accountable in a fun way. Have you tried this? Any ideas are welcome!
Physical Movement
Physically after the month of December, I always end up feeling like I am in need of so much care for my body. The rush of holidays and traveling mean that my routines and scheduled time to move are pushed to the side during the month. So, I’m in need of a reset, and one that feels good is following Yoga with Adriene’s January yoga calendar (unironically her catchphrase is Find What Feels Good).
She offers a free daily yoga practice that I can do from home at any time of day without having to find childcare, which is the perfect way to mentally and physically reset for the year. I have such cozy and fuzzy associations with this practice, and the idea of just showing up on the mat with no one to impress. I don’t always make the daily practice, but I hit it as often as I can in January, and it truly sets the pace for my year.
So. As I write this, I’m realizing I’m a bit of a flip-flopper. I do love a good challenge, a bit of reflection and goal-setting, but I’m okay if I don’t meet it. Is that a bad thing? I’m not sure, but as I hold the intention just be in my mind, I’m leaning towards no.
