2021: Starting Fresh

Hello! Welcome to my first post of 2021!  : ) 

Can you feel the shift?  It's a time of new beginnings and a fresh start.  I love January for that very reason.  Wiping the slate clean and setting goals for the new year.  

I learned a long time ago not to have unrealistic expectations so I set my bar low.  That way I can only improve.  

This past year was trying on all of us.  My mental health suffered, as I'm sure yours did too.  It was emotional, scary, confusing, and at times....just unbelievable.  One of the things I need to work on this coming year is repairing some of that damage.  The world is coming to terms with last years events.  Not that it makes it any better but we are more equipped and hopeful that better days are ahead.  We are changed people though.  For me, it wasn't just the pandemic, it's the everyday anxieties I suffer from that were exacerbated by the pandemic.  

Taking more time for self care is essential for me to function.  That means doing more things I love to do: reading, crafting, napping, cooking.  All things I do anyway, but I want to me be more intentional with my time.  Not stressing over things and caring for myself the way I care for others .  I don't have to be busy every second of the day.  Breaks are good. And I don't have to worry about something that may or may not happen in a month or two.  Worrying does nothing (this is coming from an expert worrier...).

Being a positive person is not always easy.  Don't let pretty Instagram photos fools you.  We are all struggling.  

 

When I look back on the times when I was most happiest in my life I remember doing things like yoga, mediating, and really taking care of myself.  Dinking lots of water with lemon, eating well, sleeping well, journaling my thoughts, and going outside every night to look at the stars. Over time I've fallen off those things. Sometimes I feel very jaded.  Like caring for myself doesn't matter as long as I have a hot meal on the table every night and the laundry is done.  Life experience has taught me taking care of myself does matter.  No one cares about a hot meal if the person who made it is hot mess.  

I'm trying very hard to change my attitude toward certain things. To be honest, I'm not always happy with certain aspects of my life.  Is anybody?  But looking on the positive side, I'm a very lucky person.  I need to remember that.  So, what does this all mean?  It means for the new year my goals are getting back to certain habits that make me feel good.  Because when I feel good, I'm a happier, less stressed out person. 

I'm not going to say I'm going to do yoga everyday or read 100 books this year, because let's be honest, that's not happening!  But I will say I'm going to make more time for reading.  Maybe one book a month.  That's not an unrealistic expectation.  I'd like to do more crafts.  I pulled out some of my old (and dusty) Martha Stewart books.  Just flipping through them make my heart happy.  I remember being so crafty years ago. It was a nice time in my life.  Being proud of something you made by hand should not be underestimated. Getting outside everyday for some fresh air is essential.  Especially during a pandemic.  I've always known this but it's time to get off the couch.  I really love fresh air in the winter...so more walking is on my list!  

When consciously trying to change my mindset towards certain things it's super important for me to remember to not care about what other people think.  I know it's a cliché but it's so true.  Falling into a comparison trap or wonder if others approve of things I say or do is not healthy.  Sometimes I really need to distance myself from those thoughts.  I think the walks with fresh air will help that situation.  I remember a friend telling my once that it's "ok to say NO".  Meaning you don't have to say "YES" to every request or invitation just to make other people happy.  She also said you don't need an excuse or an explanation either.  Just do you.  I love that.  Also on the list. 

And lastly, I'm in the process of revamping our living space.  Bring more hygge into my home while at the same time purging things I don't need and trying to be more minimalistic.  After I put all my Christmas decor away I only brought back half of the stuff I originally had out. It instantly felt cleaner and less cluttered.  I've been reading that a less cluttered space is good for the mind.  It's a work in progress but so far it's working.  I'm also trying to bring more natural elements into my home.  Like this dried orange and sage garland I made yesterday.  The process was therapeutic and I love the end result.  Doing more projects like this will not only bring me the natural decor feel I'm looking for, but also give me a chance to exercise my craft skills.  It's a win win.  I'm feeling better already.

There's more personal goals that I won't bore you with, but I will say I am setting a schedule for myself and this little blog of mine.  I hope to actively post here three times a week - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  It could be a recipe, a craft idea, a weekly wrap up,  a random thought, or just a "no words" photo.... but I will be here so check back every week for my musings.  We'll navigating into this new year/new world together.  

I'm also working on revamping my YouTube channel so stay tuned for that.  I have lots of video ideas coming your way soon. 

So what are some of your 2021 goals?  I would love to hear them! :)   

Wishing you all a happy and healthy year ahead! We've got this!! xoxoxo