On a Personal Note—Ringing In the New Year
Happy New Year, friends! Seems that every year I think the same thing, time just flies and I cannot believe another year has come to an end. But I’m pleasantly surprised to say that I’m always quite ready to leave one year behind and look ahead toward the next. Nothing feels quite as good as a bit of a reset and I do love that fresh January feeling that quietly arrives on the 1st.
This was the first New Years Eve that I spent alone. Party plans with friends ultimately fell through due to covid, and after hosting my college roommates this week, I came home from dropping them at the airport Saturday feeling exhausted and wanted nothing more than to stay in. So, instead of my alternate plan of going home to family, I just lit all my candles and cozied in with a Harry Potter marathon and my favorite pizza, plus some champagne and intention setting. New Years has never been a holiday I’ve enjoyed, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve cared less and less about the pressure of celebrating. And though I was a bit nervous about feeling completely lonely or having fomo, it was perfectly fine and felt so nice to relax and wake up feeling amazing on January 1.
It’s been nice taking a break from posting for the month, but I’m very happy to be back. You may see that things are a bit different here, especially if you’re on desktop. I’ve finally updated to my platform’s newer version and it’s nice to tweak every now and then! Certainly has given me a new boost of inspiration. Still working out some of the kinks, but almost there! On another (but similar) note, I’ve been thinking about what I want to bring to this space in the year ahead as I set intentions. Sometimes it feels like I’m talking to no one, but you all still seem to come back to visit my little corner of the internet over and over—thank you for that! I can’t say enough how much I enjoy designing posts for this space and curating finds that I love to share. This site always feels like a warm hug to me. A visual journal that truly evokes a feel-good moment. And I’m so happy that so many of you love it too. I hope to bring you all the inspiration in the new year!
This year was wonderfully filled with friends and family, exploring the city, some travel and weekend jaunts, work opportunities and a raise, lots of books and storytelling, apartment updates, entertaining at home with delicious meals and wine around the table, weddings and reunions, cozy nights in, a little apartment feature in Washington Post, and finishing a personal passion project for my family. Nothing major happened, but a perfectly good year—and I already have so much to look forward to in 2023. I don’t take much stock in resolutions or making big changes at the start of every year. I’m all about small, but noteworthy intentions that I can easily commit to. Plus it’s nice to have a few little things to keep in mind and move me forward.
Intentions for the Year Head
More
- Living slowly, romanticizing my life, and appreciating the ordinary moments
- Community, engagement, phone calls, and time with friends
- Dinner parties, table decorating, and cooking at home
- Traveling to new places and long weekend jaunts
- Laughter, smile lines, and dancing
- Handsome men with British accents
- Fresh flowers in the apartment
- Daily walks and exercise I actually enjoy
- Taking myself to the theater and on dates
- Reading and learning and creating offline
- Getting dressed and refining my wardrobe
- Investing and savings
- Confidence in dating and finding love
- Pasta
Less
- Anxiety over getting older and timelines
- Comparison to others and feeling bad about it
- Time on social media and in front of the tv
- Squeezing into uncomfortable jeans that don’t fit
- Self-loathing
- Takeout, deliveries, and wasting food
- Saying “no” to going out
- Spending… on everything
- Forcing myself to enjoy alcohol when I don’t want it
- Fear of taking on new work opportunities
So, there you have it! A little peek into my personal thoughts for the year ahead. Always love a good more and less list and recommend everyone make their own. Wishing you all the most wonderful start the year! And thank you, thank you, thank you for being part of my blogging journey.
On a Personal Note
Hello twenty twenty-two! The feelings of fresh beginnings and hopeful thoughts have set in. I love the fresh start that comes with every January. A time to set intentions, do a deep clean, and simply refresh life a bit—whatever that looks like for you.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and took time to rest. It was honestly so nice stepping away from the blog for the month. I’m sitting back in my living room in my apartment in DC as I write this. Looking around and taking in the wonderful home I made over the past twelve months. Sometimes I worry that I’ve lost a couple of years because of the pandemic, as if nothing has changed for me. Wasted years. But then I remember how much I’ve created for myself. Perhaps nothing significant compared to many, but I’m proud of the little accomplishments and changes that have happened over the past year.
I couldn’t be happier with my home. This warm, cozy, calming space that I (and I alone) built and designed for myself. I think about the relationships that have evolved, some friendships growing closer than ever. The adventures I took myself on, even if just to wander charming streets around the city. Learning to live life a bit slower and quieter, with less plans, and far more mental health. Focusing on me, being selfish, doing what I want, when I want—a luxury many never get to experience in their lifetimes. I’ve hit a major salary milestone this year. I’ve had the best year of my career, with so much growth and far more confidence. So many little, happy moments! Rather than paying any attention to the bad parts or comparing myself to others, it feels good to just think about my growth and look back fondly on the happy things. As I look to the year ahead, I’m excited about new intentions. Nothing too lofty. Just simple little things I’d like to be better about.
Intentions for 2022
Take better care of my body. Definitely looking to be better about cooking at home more often, moving my body, and taking care of myself, whether that mean skincare, long walks, quick daily workouts, new recipes, better sleep.
Feed my mind. To make up for my lack of reading this past year, I really want to get back into books and take some time most days to read a few pages.
Focus more on finances. With a new salary and an apartment that feels mostly “complete,” I want to put more money toward investing, saving, and travel funds. As well as learn more about financial wealth.
Make plans to travel. I have grand plans for another European adventure, we’re hopefully revisiting our favorite spot in Hawaii, more weekend getaways. I just want to get out after not doing much for two years!
Put myself out there. Whether relationships or dating, new projects, challenging myself, I want to be better about doing more with this year. There are a few things I’m manifesting for myself that I’m keeping close to my heart, but I want to push myself to take on whatever opportunities appear.
Elevate little moments and find the beauty in every day. Something I try to do, aways. Finding little ways to elevate daily occurrences, whether lighting candles, listening to music, decorating rooms to bring you joy. Finding beauty in all the small moments and appreciating the little things. Romanticizing life feels good, especially when it can feel heavy. Life is short. Enjoy all the small pleasures and treat yourself every day!
So, with that! I’m excited to be starting a new year and am thinking all the good things into existence! I’m feeling so refreshed and ready to get back to regular blogging, sharing bits of home, and am thinking about new ways to bring you all inspiration to your every day. I’m so thankful for each of you who continue to visit my corner of the internet!! I hope you’ll stick around. Happy new year!