2024 was a mix
of moving forwards
and slipping backwards.
It was a year of
heart sick healing and at times
still reeling
from the loss of my dad.

But it was also a year
of so much fun
and I can’t help but think
that dad had a hand in that…
I know he would have been
rooting hard for me to do the things I did
and my favorite part would have been
telling him about it all.
♥

Onwards and upwards and forward and through.
That’s all you can do.

Christmas was quiet…
and my words feel quiet still, too.
I have been pretty solitary
and introspective during the
transition from the hustle
of Christmas
to the brand new slate of the new year.

But 2025, I have plans for you. :)

I hope you had the merriest of
Christmases
and the happiest of
New Years.

Every year,
I choose a word
as my “compass” word
for that whole year.

Some years, it works out very well…
other years, I forget the word
by February.

Last year was cultivate
and I was excited about it…
then life kinda went a different way
for awhile and I had to re-calibrate.
But when I reread this from last year
I think I wasn’t as far off the mark
as I had thought:
”Life is short.
What matters to me right now
are the people in my life…
the experiences we share,
the adventures, the connections…”

This year, I barely had to think about it…
it struck me hard almost right away.
I had thought heal. Or rest.
But then I thought of Dad…
and if I really want a year that would
make me think of him
I want a year full of joy, of delight,
of glee.

So glee is my compass word for 2024.
I want to laugh hard, I want to do things that
excite me and inspire me. I want to
explore and try new things (except food)
and be open to new experiences.

I want to live life
with my arms wide open
and less over thinking…

I want to do things
that give me butterflies
in my belly.

I have a couple of other things
in my brain for the start of 2024:

I am going to do the “75 soft challenge”.

Eat well and only drink on social occasions. (added - track my food)
Train for 45 minutes every day, with one day a week for active recovery.
Drink three liters of water a day.
Read 10 pages of any book a day.

AND I am going to attempt a No Spend January
(and possibly February).
My plan is that I will only spend money on the
things I have to (bills, etc) and on the bare
necessities but no extras.
I honestly have enough self care items
(moisturizers, shampoo, conditioner, candles,
books, art supplies) to last me for YEARS
but I have gotten into the habit
of “treating” myself when I feel
down or stressed….so it’s time to curb that.
And what better time to do than winter?

I am looking forward to 2024.
I hope that you are, too.
♥