I hope that anybody reading this had a wonderful holiday season. This year was our first Christmas away from our extended families and settled into our new home, and it was a cozy, slow, and simple time. We postponed traveling to our hometown until the day after, so Christmas Day was a small and laid-back affair. We didn’t wake up at a certain time, get dressed up, or have dinner ready by 4. Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with parents and in-laws and catching up with all of the family that we may only see once a year. But there is something sacred and special about waking up in your own home on Christmas morning, with your own little tree lit up, and taking the day at your own pace. It filled me with gratitude and was the calm before the storm of traveling to the city and running around for various visits and parties. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a small family and I’m not used to large holiday celebrations, but for me the nostalgia of Christmas is in the quiet and familar moments at home.
Not traveling on Christmas, however, meant that this year we were traveling on New Year’s Eve instead. I don’t often make it to midnight to ring in the New Year anymore, but generally I always do something special to mark the day and mentally process the ending of another year. Sparkling apple cider toasts, meditation, movie nights, or candlelit yoga. Usually my husband and I will reflect on the past year together and what we hope for in the coming one. But this year we were so tired from visiting, packing, driving, and unpacking that we ate dinner and then passed out like it was just another day.
For this reason. I feel like I’m just beginning to process the whirlwind of the last year and the start of another, and thinking about what I want to prioritize in 2025. These last two years of motherhood have been a time of intense change and growth, and more than ever I want to be aware of that and document it so I can see how far I’ve come. I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, but I am big on mindset and lifestyle shifts - even minuscule ones.
Below is some inspiration that I’m going to carry into 2025. I have been working on some of these things for years, but there is no time limit, end destination, or defined level of perfection to be reached. These are not SMART goals that you’ve learned about a thousand times in school and job seminars (e.g. I will lose 10 pounds by July by completing a 30 minute workout, 4 times per week), these ideas are simply my own inspiration that I hope can resonate with someone else reading this. Concrete and measurable goals have a place, but I also believe that by surrounding yourself with the thoughts, words, actions, and influences that inspire you, change will slowly take place over time without a structured and specific plan. So here are mine:
I hope that one (or all) of these can be encouraging to you or someone you know. Again, I hope that you and your’s had a beautiful and blessed holiday season. If you care to share, drop a comment sharing your favorite way to ring in the New Year, or what your hopes are for 2025 (or the future in general!).
Until next time,
Kori
