MONTH AHEAD // JANUARY 2024

A SMALL TASTE OF WHAT'S COMING UP THIS MONTH

EDITOR’S NOTE //

Once upon a time I fell deep into the new year, new me category. I’d kick off the year armed with an (overly) ambitious list of resolutions and goals, hopes and dreams high, delusion even higher.

And then one year, I just…didn’t. I can’t pinpoint an exact time or thing that happened, perhaps it’s that every holiday season has gotten busier and busier for me leaving me more and more burnt out once January rolls around. Perhaps it’s been a gradual change from getting older or becoming hardened from setbacks and life challenges. Whatever it is, somewhere along the way I slowly began to pull farther away from starting off the year in what can only be described as an overly aggressive and chaotic frenzy. It just began to feel so unnatural, unproductive and, frankly, unrealistic.

Don’t get me wrong. I love a fresh start, I love having goals to achieve and dreams to chase. But here’s the thing, new goals don’t deliver new results (if only it was that easy, right?!).

Achieving something, anything, comes down to habits, routines, rituals, lifestyles. And a lifestyle is an ongoing living, breathing process, not an outcome. It can’t be hurried along, or set on a specific timeline. It has to flow and feel natural.

Which leads me to my next point. Winter. I know. Le sigh. Winter, at least here in the northern hemisphere, means nature is hibernating. Plants and animals are deep in slumber, or moving slower, resting and prepping to come back to life when spring rolls around. So if you’re wondering why it feels so hard to dive headstrong into new goals and come swinging right out of the new year gate with all sorts of to-do’s and checklists and long work days, well, mostly because it’s not natural. After all, if nothing in nature blooms all year round, why should you?

So, take a cue from nature itself. Hibernate. Live with the seasons and make this one about being slow, quiet, peaceful, nourishment, coziness, rest and restoration. Let things flow as they are meant to. Realize everything ebbs and flows. Don’t put pressure on yourself to become a completely new person and achieve all your lifelong dreams 2 weeks into a new year. A goal will happen when it happens, date on the calendar is of no consequence. Trust the timing and process of your life. Know that you can’t bloom all the time.

I also actually wrote something to this same effect in last January’s “Month Ahead” and it’s already been a few years since I penned my piece on why I don’t make resolutions and what to do instead. New year, same ol’ me, I guess?!?

We’re headed to the desert this weekend to put some of this into practice, taking time somewhere peaceful and quiet, to regroup and re-center for the year ahead. The agenda includes time for reflection, journaling, brainstorming, watching the sunrise (something I exclusively reserve for the desert because it’s the only place worthy of the early wake-up call IMO), early morning yoga, green juice, time by the fire, cold plunging, time in nature, good food and good music. The weekend will NOT include a lot of screen time, any tv or dedicated content creation time (an urge I very much have to resist, so much so that I purposefully book a less “instagrammable”/on brand {but don’t worry, still very cute} place to stay so that I don’t get too tempted, which yes, I realize is completely and totally ridiculous as it sounds). I know it’s not always easy, accessible or in the budget to get away to have a whole planning retreat, but if you want to do something similar, try to at least plan a “quiet day” (or weekend) at home. Clear your schedule, tell people you’re booked and busy, put your phone in airplane mode, prep healthy snacks and drinks ahead of time, remove any clutter or distractions, deleting distracting apps (ahem Instagram), have a cozy but coordinated outfit ready to go, start your day with movement, meditation and prayer and then get into it. It’s what I’ve done in years past and, even if you don’t have a business, it’s still such a helpful way to map out your personal goals, travels, etc and I can’t recommend it enough and think it’s so beneficial for any and everyone to do.

Truthfully, I’ve envisioned kicking off the year with this kind of mini retreat for so long now, to have time away, to rest and regroup, somewhere peaceful, quiet and serene, where I don’t need to create or be out and about, no distractions, I can just be and think and dream. Excited that this is the year I’m finally making that happen! It feels exactly like the way one should be easing into the new year vs. the more traditional hectic start. And I don’t know about you, but for me, after a few rough years, I’m ready for a good one, and, if kicking it off this way is any indication, then I sure have a good feeling about the year ahead!

Hope you’re finding ways to ease into 2024 in slow and restful ways!

x

HAPPENINGS //

WHAT I’M PINNING //

Channeling everything I want for a cozy winter hibernation season (cozy coats and clothes, afternoons spent reading, warm fires, nourishing meals, candlelight) meets a fresh new year (minimal spaces, clean slates, journaling goals and dreams, motivational quotes) over on my JANUARY INSPO BOARD

WHAT I’M COOKING //

Like many of us I indulged maybe just a little too much over the holidays so I’m restoring myself with cozy but nourishing meals. Think curries, soups (this hearty chicken soup is perfect for this time of year), stews (like this one that is an absolute favorite of mine…so delicious, so cozy and hearty, so nutritious and healthy), roasted veggie bowls, things that are packed with nutrients but still feel like a warm hug. And no matter just how much I indulged over the holidays, my sweet tooth can’t be stopped so I’ve also been working on making some desserts that are always good for your soul as they are your body.

WHAT I’M EYEING //

I think the most cliche thing about me and the new year right now is that I’m in search of new workout sets and new matching sweat sets (mine are just worn out and gross at this point). I’m also working on cleaning out my closet and replacing and refreshing any basics as needed.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO //

We spontaneously booked last minute tickets to a concert for this weekend (we somehow miraculously snagged the last two tickets) and without even realizing it until after the fact I discovered that one of my favorite singers will be performing at the concert (in my defense, I’m absolutely horrid at remembering the names of any artists or songs that I like). Anyways, the artist, Zelle Day, along with Jesse Woods, who also happens to be her boyfriend, have formed a new-ish band, Chaparelle, that will be performing so I’ve been listening to their music on repeat in preparation (since Chaparelle’s music isn’t available yet). Also recently just discovered La Lom and can’t get enough of them! So vibey!

WHAT I’M WATCHING //

We just finished the second season of Julia on Max. I can’t get enough of anything to do with one of my cooking inspirations and this show is no exception!

WHAT I’M WORKING ON //

Slow and intentional living, regrouping and re-organizing for the year ahead, getting back into good routines and good habits, assessing what needs to be adjusted and changed, spending time nurturing hobbies, cleaning out closets, organizing cabinets, restocking supplements, mapping out travel plans…

WORDS TO LIVE BY //

Sail, don’t row.