It’s funny how one moment in time can cause us to simultaneiously reflect on the year that’s passed and dream of the year to come. Typically, I love creating lists of goals for myself- personal goals, as well as plans for the house and the blog. Last January I created 5 personal goals, 5 house goals, and even shared a word of the year (dedication). I was mighty ambitious, wasn’t I? While I did complete 3 out of 5 of each of my goals, this year I’ve decided to approach things differently. Ambition can be wonderful and push us to exceed our self expectations, but ambition can also cause us to lose sight of the here and now.
Over the break, I’ve reflected on the things and people that really matter to me. And I found my solid ground again. For so much of the later part of the year I felt like I was floating, trying to be in so many places and do so many things at once, but never really truly present in the world, constantly pushing on to the next thing. Does that sound at all familiar to you? I think so many of us put this pressure on ourselves, and it doesn’t do us any good. I definitely felt a disconnect with the real true “stuff” of life.
So while my feet were once again firmly planted, it was the right time to make a solid thoughtful decision.
For the house…. no goals. There might be things we’d like to get done, of course, but life sometimes takes unexpected turns and projects are put on hold. Last year work took a turn for me and Chris changed jobs, and I didn’t have time for projects in the second half of the year. So this year, I am not making any lofty goals…. just gonna go with the flow and promise you that things will change around here, because that’s the name of the game. They will change simply for the pleasure I find in making the change. I am happy with my home because it’s where I play games with my kids, throw a ball with my dogs, cuddle with my husband, dance in the kitchen, create anything and everything. It is enough as it is, and I am happy here.
For the blog…. I choose to be happy with the status quo. Last year I wanted to “grow my blog business” and I worked on it, and networked, and went to a conference, migrated to wordpress, and more. In the end, I spent a lot of time, energy, and money for not much of a difference. As I reflected on this past year, I decided that I was happy with the readership I have and the connections I have made. And in 2015, that is enough for me. Blogging has changed so much over the past few years, and I might be old fashioned, but I prefer true connections with readers over a million pageviews from pinterest clickers who I don’t truly connect with.
A few times over the last few months I have thought about just calling it quits on blogging because I let it take so much time and I was focusing on the growth. And I don’t like feeling that way… So I am remembering why I started in the first place, and taking the blog back just for me and just for you. I want to inspire you to create, but I also want to inspire you just to be an authentic and happy person. The best way I can do that is to be one myself.
And all of this brings me to my word of the year….. CONTENTMENT. I am choosing to be here and now, and to be content with all I have in my life. I have been blessed with a great family, wonderful friends, a growing business, a blog readership, and so many countless good fortunes. It’s time to really enjoy them all.
Wishing you all the best in 2015! I am looking forward to the year ahead, thankful for all of the moments of the past that have lead me to right here and right now.
