I love a good collection of pretty images to get my senses going, so what better reason than a new year and new season to pull together some inspirations + a few resolution for the new year. Cheers!
1. Practice Gratitude
For several years in a row I’ve kept a gratitude journal during Lent, taking a few minutes each night to write at least five things I’m grateful for that day. It can be anything big or small, silly or not. I’m not Catholic but I like the idea of setting a good intention and sticking to it. Ending each day reflecting on the positive and really thinking about the small things we often take for granted has such an impact on ones overall state of mind. This year I plan to carry that not just though Lent but make an effort to maintain that daily gratitude throughout the entire year.
2. More Conversations with Loved Ones
Unfortunately I don’t live in the same city as my family and many good friends, which requires that extra effort to really stay in touch. This past year saw the loss of my Grandma on my dad’s side, just short of the wise age of 101. I’m so lucky to have both grandparents on my mom’s side still here and still living life with lots of zest. I’m also lucky that they, and all my family, are very hip to modern forms of communication. I’d like to set aside even more time for chatting and keeping in touch with all my nearest and dearest—the most important people in my life.
3. Eat Less Meat
Eating less meat is something I’ve already been implementing as of this past year but would like to be even more diligent about moving forward. I’ve tinkered with going pescatarian, but to start I want to focus on eating meat with as much mindfulness as possible: eating less, eating with thoughtful intention, and avoiding meat from factory farms (tips for this here). Baby steps.
4. More Date Nights
The older you get, the more hectic it seems life becomes. This resolution is pretty simple: prioritizing more time for specials nights out with my husband. Its so easy to slide into life’s routines but it’s important to keep things fun by making time each month to do something special and romantic just the two of you.
5. Embrace Winter
Winter and I don’t really get along. Every year we butt heads, make each other miserable and generally unpleasant. But this year, now that we have our sweet little pup Louie, time spent outside during my least favorite season has increased exponentially. So the time has come, I think, to make amends with the season. It’s NOT going to be easy with so much snow and frigid temps, but seeing Louie outside in the cold thoroughly enjoying himself like it’s just another day has helped me to embrace that feeling too. And what I’m also coming to learn is that while I may never LOVE Winter, I can at least appreciate the way that Winter amplifies my love for all the other seasons. Life, if you’re lucky, is going to be a ride of ups and downs. I think almost everyone would agree the hard times in life are periods of learning and perspective, helping you to see just how wonderful the good times are. No one wants to live a life at a plateau, never sad but also never really happy.
