I’m kind of over making the new year into a thing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still gonna use it as a good time to introduce new content to my blog, but I don’t love the idea of resolutions. I don’t like the idea that you can only start to improve yourself on January 1st. Or that January 1st means something, that it’s this significant date that wipes your slate clean. That’s just not true. January 1st is a day like any other day. I don’t need a new year to try a new hobby, pick up journaling again, or continue to exercise. If you need a new year to start something (or to stop something), you do you. But for me, in recent years, January 1st has become this date that weighs on me. It’s made me feel like I have to create life changing resolutions, like the new year is a time for me to morph into this other Lauren that’s clearly better than my current me. But I’m a decent, cool, and fun person as I currently am. I’m always my best self and I don’t need that negative energy telling me I’m not good enough. I am good enough. And so are you. You want to make changes in your life? Great! You do them when it works for you. If that means you don’t start cleaning your room until January 6th (or later, let’s be real), that’s ok.
As my friend, Kayla, tells me, we have our highs and lows as humans. Sometimes we’re really good with exercising consistently, and sometimes we aren’t. This doesn’t make us failures. This makes us human. And it’s important for us to remember that if we’re in a slump right now, we won’t be there forever. Show ourselves patience and kindness. Perfection isn’t possible. And perfection would be boring anyway.
So I’m not making any resolutions this year (except to replace my car windshield, but you know, that’s an easy one). Besides, I have my #30 before 40 list to keep me occupied. I would like to write more on here but I’m not going to pressure myself too much because this is a space for fun and creativity and setting requirements on that isn’t in the spirit. Still, pushing myself and stepping out of my comfort zone a little is something I want to try so I will do my best to do that this year, within reason. Hopefully you’ll see some more frequent posting from me and some different kinds of posts (like Food Friday, interviews, and ponderings) and we’ll see how it all goes.
I hope everyone had a relaxing and happy holiday season. I ate too much sugar and am telling myself to take it easier next Christmas (we’ll see if I remember). I also had many great moments with friends and with family. I hosted Little Christmas Eve on December 23rd where three friends came over and we baked throughout the day and hung out. It was so lovely and one of my favorite days in 2021. I spent time with my family for Christmas where I played on Kevin’s Oculus, gushed over all the awesome things he 3D printed on his new printer, and laughed with everyone. Kayla surprised me with a curated book of poems that kept her going in 2021 and ONE OF MY POEMS WAS IN THERE. ❤ Now I’m with Shari’s family for New Year’s and more fun times.
What do you want to do in 2022? I’d love to hear all about it!
Just Lauren 