Happy New Year!

Every January I find myself saying the same phrase, “this past year has flown by!” Time cannot truly speed up, but as an adult it certainly feels as though it does. Perhaps part of the reason is the ever growing project list composed in my pink home project notebook. Everything is broken down by season and I will work myself to the point of exhaustion just for the gratifying feeling of checking off a task in that notebook. Between the seasonal projects come the summer activities and the holiday rush is never too far behind. As I put these thoughts in writing, it makes me wonder if the year felt longer as a child because we are living in each moment and not so much by a the next event on the calendar or item on our to-do list?

A few days before Christmas, I came down with Covid. While I was fortunate to have only experienced mild symptoms, it was still enough to force me to relax and rest my body. The Hallmark Channel  and cross stitch got me through a few days, but guilt and restlessness slowly crept in. Not only were things not getting done around the house, but we also had to miss nearly every family get together. Luckily Rob did manage to stay healthy and Covid free, but since we are under the same roof he had to miss out as well. If you have had this virus, you know that energy levels can be slow to come back. I decided to use this time in the recovery process to focus on creating a list of things that were truly important in the coming year. It is so easy to fall into the pattern of setting the same shallow intentions when January comes around. If there is one lesson I have learned through past mentors, it is to sit down and take the time to set meaningful goals. They should be written with emotion and with the kind of detail that you can see and feel. I may not have been able to do much over the holidays, but setting goals for the new year lifted my spirits and made me excited for what was to come.

A Year to “Create”

Choosing a “Word of the Year” may not be a new thing, but I had not heard of it until fairly recently. It is brilliant because it gives you a simple focus. This is where I began the goal writing process this year. For those of you who know me well, you are more than likely not surprised that I chose the word “Create.” I had mentioned how quickly life passes by, and this year I am going to take the time to create more memories. “I am” is such a powerful way in writing what you want. Anybody can want, but “I am” is stating that you are going to make it happen. This past September Rob and I decided to take the plunge and purchase a little camper. It is a topic that we had gone back and forth on for a while, but we finally decided it was time. We are looking forward to taking our camper back to our favorite campsites as children. It will be so fun to revisit old memories and create new ones (with much more comfortable sleeping & living arrangements). There is something special about sharing those childhood stories around a crackling campfire while cooking the camp snacks you grew up on over the hot coals. I am going to create daily habits that will help me live a healthier and more fulfilling life. We get one life, and it is our choice in how we decide to spend our time here. Lastly, I am going to create content on this blog that will allow me to tap into my already creative side, learn new skills, and hopefully inspire others. So many of you have reached out to me over the years and offered the kindest words of encouragement. I am happy to finally be able to put all the things you have said you love and enjoy into one easy to find place. While I hope to inspire you through this simple blog, you have inspired me.

Happy goal setting to you and cheers to the first blog post of many in 2022!