2017 Goals: January Reviewed
"As time ticked by and an impassioned idea still had not ignited me, I didn't panic. Instead, I did what I have done so many times before. I turned my attention away from passion and toward curiosity." (Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic)
2016 was all about pregnancy and baby. I am dedicating this year to the pursuit of simple joys. In January, I did this by lighting candles, savoring my favorite tea, and watching The Bachelor.
One of my goals is to get rid of things I no longer want, use or need. This month I tackled my closet, packing up maternity clothes and donating/thredUP-ing a big pile of things I wouldn’t buy if I tried them on in a store. Dressing a postpartum body feels a lot like trying to hit a moving target and I’m still breastfeeding, so I’ve been learning what works as I go.
I started the year off strong with a mini Whole30 and a handful of workouts. When it comes to my physical body, the aim is to cultivate habits that make me feel nourished and to occasionally indulge with purpose. We traveled and I got sick this month, but that’s ok. I am learning to work on these things even when the conditions aren’t perfect.
Creatively, I am content. And excited. (AND HERE. BLOGGING AGAIN. WHAAAT!?) I joined The Year of Creativity (a 12-month, self-paced course on creativity) and have been thrilled with the experience so far. The focus of January was “Inspiration” and it was just what I needed to get started. I read Big Magic, snuck away to a coffee shop to write, and submitted my first essay for peer feedback. It was more creative work than I’ve done in over a year... and the surface is just getting scratched.
My mister and I set a goal of hiring a sitter once a month for date nights. We interviewed someone for semi-regular childcare, but I realized that maybe I’m not quite ready for that step. So, we have another recommended sitter coming by on Friday for a meet & greet. Here’s hoping we can achieve our date night goals in February.
Documenting the daily life of our little, growing family is another focus for 2017. Taking videos for our 1 Second Everyday project and snapping pictures of Baby O to text to family are things I've been good about doing. Digitally speaking, I have memory keeping on lock. But I haven’t ordered prints of our professional photos or done much in O’s baby book since he was a month old. When things have been on your to-do list for 6 months, it's time to take action. At least that's what I'm telling myself.
My word of the year is SIMPLE and as I shared on Instagram,
Last year my husband & I bought a new car and moved into a new home, I quit my full time job and became a mother. My whole world & identity shifted through these changes... and as I continue to define who I am in this new existence, I am dedicating 2017 to the pursuit of simple joys. SIMPLE is gentle, but firm. SIMPLE is straightforward & uncomplicated. SIMPLE is intentional action. I know raising a little babe will bring plenty of messy, unsure, and crazy moments, but even in those times I hope to remember the power of taking a SIMPLE pause to breathe.
One of my goals for January was to think about creating a daily routine for me and Baby O. Now on February 1st, I think that’s one of my bigger accomplishments for the past month. We do not follow a strict schedule or do the same thing every day, but our days have settled, shifted, sunk into a very nice rhythm. We take walks, we play and read, we meet up with other mamas and babies, we enjoy mealtime and bath time, and we share lots of cuddles. Our days are simple, but full. January has been a wonderful start to 2017 and I’m looking forward to what this next month has in store.
