In midlife, the New Year can hit a little differently. For many of us, big resolutions are a thing of the past. This stage of life brings an understanding that younger versions of us didn’t always have. We know what truly matters, what drains us, and what we’re no longer willing to carry. So January becomes less about pressure and more about possibility as we step into the new year and the next version of ourselves.
Honestly, has this been the longest January that ever januaried - or am I the only one feeling that way?
This month, the most popular post on the blog was "Aging Gracefully... or not" where I explored what the idea of aging gracefully means to us as women. I also shared ideas for combatting the winter blues, making a simple London Fog for sipping on the cold January days, and dealing with sleep problems in midlife.
On the first weekend of January the Man of the House and I went to Baltimore, Maryland. We did some sightseeing, ate some delicious seafood, and on Saturday evening we went to the Ravens game. The game was FREEZING! The whole weekend was honestly. But the game was a night game and very windy, which made it feel that much colder. We had originally planned to leave Monday evening, but there was a winter storm forecasted to move through on Monday morning, so we switched our flight and came home Sunday evening to beat the snow.
Like much of the country, we had some brutally cold temperatures this month. And we did see a little snow. But it has been a crazy winter. When the southern snow storm hit, it went way south and east of us. While they had several inches of snow along the coast - we didn't see any of it here in mountains!
We celebrated our oldest grandson's 13th birthday this month. I know what you're thinking - I'm not old enough to have a teenage grandson. You're right! At least that's what I've been telling myself.
I finally decided to do something this month that I've been thinking about for a while. One morning I grabbed the scissors and cut some bang. I know, they say you should never cut your own bangs. But I have been doing it off and on for years. And I'm actually pleased with the results.
In January I read two books and listened to one audio book. I read "Somewhere Beyond the Sea" by T J Klune and "A Curious Beginning" by Deanna Raybourn. The audio book I listened to is "The Dressmaker" by Kate Alcott.
Some of my favorites and finds for January included:
- The Rydir band: it kept the tote bag I used on our Baltimore trip clean while traveling (airports and planes. IYKYK) And kept it attached to my carry-on luggage while on the move.
- A London Fog: Earl Grey tea, vanilla, steamed milk. A delicious treat on a chilly afternoon.
- The Quilted Koala Town Crossbody Bag: It's roomy enough for all the things, including a book, my Kindle, or a small crochet project for when I'm going to be doing some sitting and waiting somewhere. The detachable crossbosy strap keeps me hand-free when I'm running errands.
How was your January? Any special moments, favorite finds, or stand out memories?
It has become common for many people to select a word for the year. A word to set the tone or to be the focus for the year. I have done this for many years.
Not this year.
Here's the thing....
Last year, my one word was Explore. In that spirit, I decided to select a different word to explore for each month. And I enjoyed that. A lot. I liked having a new focus for each month of the year. It kept things fresh and interesting. Which is why as 2023 rolled to its conclusion, I decided rather than having one word for the entire year, I would have One Word for each month of 2024!
My One Word for January is Begin.
It almost feels a little too obvious. But, it also feels incredibly appropriate. January is the start of a whole new year. It's a month meant for new beginnings and fresh starts.
After having my Etsy shop on vacation for the final quarter of the year, I made the difficult decision to leave it there. So, business-wise, this year is a new beginning for me. I'm not entirely sure where this new path is going to lead, but I'm ready for wherever it takes me.
In light of that upcoming new beginning, I have begun to sort through my home office. I am slowly transitioning from office to a craft room.
I am beginning a new focus on my health. I am dedicated to moving more often. In January, I begin to work my way up to doing some exercise/movement five days a week. I am beginning to pay less attention to the numbers in the scale and more to the numbers on my lab results. I am especially beginning to pay closer attention to how I feel. I know that I am now at an age where it's more important than ever to take care of my body so that I can keep doing the things I want to do for years to come.
This year I plan to begin actively cultivate even more joy in my life. I will seek out activities, situations, and people that enrich my life and bring me happiness. I will probably also need to begin eliminating some things that cause stress, anxiety, or unhappiness.
So, there it is. January is my month to Begin.
What about you? Do you have a word for 2024, or for the month of January?
If you've read my One Word for 2023 post, you know that this year I decided that I will also have a word for each month. (if you haven't read that post yet - go ahead and do it now. I'll be right here when you're done)
My word for January is Create.
What does this mean? Well... for me, it means...
To explore ways to be creative in my work and hobbies.
To create healthy habits for the new year.
Create time for the people I love.
Create time for the activities I enjoy.
Create pleasant spaces in which to work and live.
To create the best possible me.
Create a life I love.
For me, there's something extra special when a new year, a new month, and a new week all start at the same time. It's like the ultimate "fresh start". Just me? That's ok. I said it, and I don't regret it.
I don't know about you, but I am so excited for 2022. The Man of the House and I are already floating some ideas for trips we'd like to take this year. We will be keeping our travels within the states this year while probably planning for another bigger trip next year. And our new grandbaby is due this winter. Obviously, I can't wait to meet him!
Speaking of grandchildren - January will find us celebrating Grandson #1's birthday. I can hardly believe that he is going to be 11. He's getting so big. He's already almost as tall as I am!
I received a small embroidery machine for Christmas. I am looking forward to learning how to use it and making some fun new thing. Embroidered burp cloths, bibs, and blankets for Grandson #2? Definitely! I also have some ideas for items to compliment the crocheted pieces I sell in my Etsy shop.
I have created myself a reading list for January. This is something I plan to do for each month this year. My list for January is: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I also hope to be able to finish The Next Right Thing by Emily P Freeman just as soon as I can get it from the library again. (My loan expired and someone else had put a hold in it so I couldn't renew it).
January is typically a month for purging the old and trying to get organized. I'm no different when it comes to this. I'm back at it - working to decorate and organize my home office and create a pleasant workspace for myself. I also have some projects planned for the dining room.
My goals for the month include:
What are your plans for January?
For my word of the year for 2022 - Abundance - I try to spend sometime each day with the word. This might be thinking about abundance - what it looks like and means to me, what it might mean to others, etc. Sometimes I look up Scripture verses related to abundance. Or I might read a book about Abundance. Or look for quotes on the subject. My hope is to share some of the thoughts or insights this gives me each month with all of you.
As I pondered on the word during this first month of the year, I began to think it's possible that finding abundance doesn't start with obtaining more or "having it all".
Maybe it begins with just enough.
Perhaps you can't have true abundance until you realize that what you have is enough. That you are enough.
It's only when you are able to realize and appreciate the enough-ness of your life and yourself that you can begin to recognize and appreciate the more-than-enough that is abundance.
Not only is today Monday... It's the first Monday of 2022! How's your new year going so far? Mine has been suuuper lazy. I'll let you in on a little secret if you promise not to judge me. Deal? Ok, here goes - my Christmas decorations are still up. I know, I know. But don't worry. They're coming down today. Definitely tomorrow at the latest.
My guys go back to work today. It's going to seem so quiet around here without them here. But I'm also looking forward to getting back to the usual routine.
Working On: I decided to take on a year-long crochet project in the form of a temperature blanket. This is a crocheted blanket created with different color yarns that you have assigned to different temperature ranges. Each day you crochet a row with the color associated with the high (or low, or average) temperature for that day. (You can read more about temperature blankets HERE )
I also plan to spend the next several weeks getting all the skiens of yarn in my stash wound into yarn cakes and reorganizing all of them.
Celebrating: Not much. There are no special occasions happening in January that our family celebrates. I guess we'll just have to find a few everyday things to celebrate this month!
Wanting/Needing: Hmm... Someone to put away my Christmas stuff? LOL
Eating: After the holidays, I am feeling a little gross. I ate too much junk and over indulged on many, many days. It's time to get back to healthy eating. Lots of chicken, fish, whole grains, fruits and veggies.
Loving: The new year. I love that sense of a beginning. New years. Spring. Back to school. There's something about a fresh start and all the promise and hope that goes along with it.
Goals for January:
Be honest - how many of you released a huge sigh of relief at the stroke of midnight last night? (or when you woke up this morning, if you're like me and staying up to ring in the new year isn't really your thing).
Even though we know things aren't going to magically change and suddenly improve just because the calendar turned over, it's nice to be able to say good-bye to 2020 and look forward to a new year! I mean, every new year seems fresh and full of promise. But maybe... just, maybe (definitely)... this year more so than usual.
So, here's to you 2021! Please be gentle with us.
Working On: The usual "new year" stuff. Trying to get reorganized. Set goals for the year. Get back on track on some things that went awry over the past year. You probably know exactly what I'm talking about.
Reading: My current read is Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. Because I adore historical fiction, especially about the Tudors, and I've been putting off reading this one for a while.
My non-fiction book is I Thought It Was Just Me by Brene Brown. I have never read any of her works, but many people seem to like her so I thought I would give it a go.
The grandkid and I are nearing the end of Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary. Ramona was another big favorite of mine growing up. (Really, any and all of Beverly Cleary's characters were favorites for me) Next up we have Ramona Quimby, Age 8. Then I think we'll be reading Half Magic by Edward Eager.
This month I also plan to read A Moveable Feast by Hemmingway. It's on my list of books to read this year. I have avoided anything by Ernest ever since The Old Man and the Sea bored me to tears back in high school, and after all this time I'm finally willing to give him another chance.
Celebrating: There's not really much going on this month. I'm celebrating having made it through the holidays - and through all of 2020 - in one piece. I'm going to celebrate my accomplishments this month - no matter how small they may be.
Loving: I'm getting some extra time with the grandkid! His school is going back to all remote learning for at least the first two weeks of January. (a quarantine of sorts following the holiday break) which means I get an extra day with him each week!
Wanting/Needing: A better way to store Christmas decor that protects it from moisture. We store the plastic bins (which I thought were good enough) under the stairs, where it can get damp and musty. I had to buy new stockings this year because ours were mildewy and stinky when I took them out of storage. Our Christmas tree is scheduled to be replaced also because it was musty smelling when I first took it out - although that doesn't surprise me because it has just been stored in the original cardboard box that it came in. So, if anyone has any tips or tricks - let me know ASAP!
Dreaming About: Summer vacation. I know it's a little early still, but we have a vacation to Disney World planned for this year. And this time the Female Offspring, the Son in Law, and the Grandkid are all supposed to come! Fingers crossed that Covid vaccines are flowing to the general population by then and we don't have to wear masks in the Florida heat. We didn't get much of a vacation last year thanks to the pandemic and I really really need this trip!
Goals for January:
How is your January 2021 looking?
