Happy New Year! I hope you had a joyful holiday season and were able to celebrate with the people you love. Hopefully you and your loved ones have remained healthy. It’s hard to believe that we are quickly approaching the two year anniversary (is that the right word…?) of the presence of COVID in our lives. And to think, we thought we would be back to normal at this point! Kudos to you for continuing to live your lives in these (continually) crazy times! It’s not easy, but you’re doing it!
New Year, new goals. Lots of people are posting about “New Years Resolutions!” “Resolution” is such an intimidating word, isn’t it? New Years resolutions seem so permanent and strict. Honestly, I think the word “resolution” deters us from actually accomplishing our goals because it subconsciously sets the bar too high. I’ve always been more of a “goals” person, anyways. Setting goals seems much more refreshing, like getting off on the right foot. Starting this year I want to start focusing on three types of goals at the beginning of the year: Personal, health, and community. I want to look past the typical and stereotypical goals and really start to challenge myself to grow as a person each year. January is a time I find myself looking at my past year and reflecting while looking forward to a new year of opportunity not only because it is a new calendar year, but because my birthday is in January! I love aligning my new intentions with my personal new year.
Personal
I really want to challenge myself to take a step back from social media this year. More and more we are seeing that excessive use of social media can be incredibly damaging. Not even excessive use! Consistent use of social media. It is so easy to get caught up in the comparison game, the FOMO is real. I’ve become more aware of how I’m using social media and I don’t think it is particularly healthy. I find that I’m filling my time scrolling social media instead of picking up a book, going for a walk, doing a project around the house, or simply allowing myself to be present with myself. We don’t always need to be doing something and social media has cultivated an expectation that we should be constantly entertaining ourselves. I’ve already taken the first step and deleted my Snapchat (yay!). Next up is Facebook. I’ve decided to keep Instagram but set screen time limits to hold myself accountable. I’m also planning to streamline who I follow. I’ve already started unfollowing accounts that make me feel pressured to “keep up with the Joneses” and buy, buy, buy. Look, I get that lots of influencers/bloggers make a living on selling products on Instagram and other platforms. But there are some accounts that just push it a little too much and a little too often. I want the content I consume to make me feel good, not make me feel like I’m missing out on something because I don’t have a Gucci purse, ya know?
Piggybacking on this goal, I want to read at least 1 book per month. Anytime I find myself mindlessly scrolling social media I want to challenge myself to open my Kindle app and read instead. There’s so much more we can gain from an engaging book than someone’s highlight reel.
Here are the next 5 books I plan to read:
- The Midnight Library- Matt Haig
- Kindred- Octavia E. Butler
- The Rose Code- Kate Quinn
- Dial A for Aunties- Jesse Q. Sutanto
- The Night Watchman- Louise Edrich
Health
As many of you know, I used to be a dancer. I started dancing when I was very young and continued through college. It was a huge part of my life. While I may not have the ability to do toe touches or a million a la secondes anymore, I want that part of artistic and purposeful movement back in my life. When I was in college I got into the hot yoga scene. While that isn’t necessarily something I feel comfortable joining again during a global pandemic, I really want to incorporate yoga back into my life. I started Peloton’s Beginner Yoga class series this week and I’m really excited. I’m starting from square one! It’s been so long since I’ve taken a yoga class so I thought it would be a good idea to start from the beginning. It’s a three week program that incorporates the basics of yoga: poses, philosophy, breathing, and meditation. Join me if you want to get yoga back in your life, too!
Community
Growing up in Madison, WI, we had access to one of the greatest farmer’s markets in the country. I’m not exaggerating! The Dane County Farmer’s Market is well known across the country. Looking back now, I realize how lucky we were to be exposed to local food during our younger years. As Americans, we’ve grown farther and farther away from our food sources. We don’t know where our food comes from anymore. My final goal this year is to invest more in our local farmers and agricultural communities. After being home in Madison over the holidays, my mom inspired me to make this a goal of 2022. She sources lots of their weekly food from different Madison farmers, many of which she now knows personally. Apart from the food she gets directly from them, she shops at a local co-op that supports community agriculture. This next year I want to prioritize getting our food from local farmer’s markets and make connections with some the farmers. I’ve looked into CSA options in the area and I’ve also been thinking of joining one of those as well. When we nourish our bodies with real, whole, healthful foods, we reap the benefits. I’m excited to learn more about our local farmers and agriculture while simultaneously fueling my body with wonderful nutrients!
How do you view “New Years Resolutions”? Have you made any goals for this year?
Happy 2022, folks! Hopefully your year is full of health, joy, and spending time with the ones you love.
Until next time!
XOXO, Sarah
Que Sera Sarah 