A Cozy New Year Reflection
Hey there, friend.
How is your new year shaping up?
I’m sitting here at my desk - taking in the final whiffs of my holiday pine candle - wondering how we’re already a month into 2025.
It snuck up on us, didn’t it?
I’m usually prepped and ready for the new year with lists and charts and schedules… only to have everything implode after about two days, lol.
Sound familiar?
As a musician, though, I was worn out after a busy holiday season and needed a different approach this year.
So, instead of forcing myself into productivity on January 1st, I leaned into a few weeks of self care.
I sent my flute away to the shop, signed off social media, and dug into cozy season like a champ. I watched a lot of TV. I woke up when I felt like it. I went hiking in the snow. I ate way too much. And I enjoyed a rest so deep, I was legitimately worried I’d struggle to emerge.
Though as January waned, I felt a new energy rising. A pull to take stock of the previous year and figure out how I wanted to move forward in this one.
So, I gathered my journals from 2024 and started reading (as someone who writes three pages most mornings… it was a lot to sift through).
As I read, I highlighted all the things I was scared to do, but did anyway. The things I wanted to do, but didn’t. The progress I made. The people I met. The feelings I faced. The hard times… the happy times… and everything in between.
When it was all said and done, two recurring themes were blatantly clear:
I desire more time in nature, and
I want to create more music and stories to express what I experience there.
I was reminded that it’s work that feels deeply important to me… especially in these uncertain times.
Next, I made a list of the things I need to do to make that happen. A few practices I need to introduce into my routine… and a few others I need to eliminate.
I arranged these on some bright stickies and placed them in a spot I see every day. Now, it will be easy to look over them throughout the year - especially during those times when I’m feeling stuck.
What about you?
Do you have desires asking to be fulfilled this year? Maybe some that you’ve been ignoring for a while? If so, what are some small, manageable steps you can take to get closer?
I challenge you to go write these things down - like I did - on a couple of bright sticky notes.
Then, throughout the year, when you feel lost or overwhelmed, go stare at them and remind yourself of where you want go.
My hunch is that we will end up much further along our paths… bring a lot more goodness into the world… and probably be a lot less stressed out.
Wherever you head this year, I’ll be right here with you as we navigate these crazy times together.
Take care, friend.
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