Happy New Year, my dears! My apologies for the extended break. I took some time to reenergize over the holidays after what was undoubtedly the most exciting yet exhausting year of my life. Today I wanted to share with you some of my goals (I’ve given up on the phrase “New Year’s resolutions” as mine never seem to last long!) for 2020. I’d love to hear what your aspirations are for 2020, too! Without further ado, some things I hope to accomplish this year:
Travel more often.
In the last 18 months I transitioned from living in Denmark (where I was in a new country practically every other week) to living in suburban Seattle with a newborn. While Gabriel is the best thing that every happened to me, it’s also been an enormous adjustment. In 2020 I hope to travel more often, even if it means exploring solo. Last week I went to New Orleans for three nights on my own (my first ever overnight away from Gabe) and while I nearly burst into tears saying goodbye to my sweet boy, it was so exciting to have some “me” time for the first time since I can remember. While I’ve come to accept that big international trips are difficult for us right now given Gabe’s age (we were crazy to have flown with a newly walking 10-month-old to London in October!), I am going to try to plan more short little solo getaways for creative inspiration (and my sanity).
Get organized.
I know it’s not practical to completely Marie Kondo my life (I like a little clutter and all my tchotchkes bring me joy), but I’d love to give our home a deep clean and do some major donating/tossing/reorganizing. I want to bring less into the house (I always come back to Cuyana’s motto of “fewer, better things”) and determine which pieces of my furniture collection and fashion wardrobe are really forever pieces (and which can go). My husband Simon is super organized and I envy how less stressful his daily life is because of it. I am tired of endlessly wondering where I put my keys/phone/wallet.
Needlepoint a pillow.
My friend Fallon taught me to needlepoint one night in London a couple years ago (I know, party animals…) so naturally I went out and bought an expensive needlepoint canvas and all the supplies and haven’t touched them since. This year I want to actually finish a needlepoint project, ideally said pillow. Someone please hold me accountable!
Read more books.
I finished this one on the plane to New Orleans (it was lovely!) and it reminded me how happy reading a good book makes me. In 2020 I’m determined to make reading more of a priority. I’ve finally accepted I’m simply too exhausted to read before bed, so I may try sneaking in a few pages first thing in the morning (even if it means setting my alarm a bit earlier) or when Gabe naps in the afternoon. Next up I’m thinking I may read this.
Find more balance.
Or rather, accept I can’t work full-time and be a stay-at-home mom. The first nine months after we brought Gabe home I had no childcare and yet I still tried to keep up with this blog as though nothing had changed, working whenever he napped. Rather than “sleep when the baby sleeps” my mantra was “blog when the baby sleeps.” Needless to say, I was a zombie. I eventually learned it’s okay to accept help and that I can’t do it all. In 2020 I hope to be more present when I’m with Gabe and more focused when I’m blogging. Soon enough he’ll be starting daycare and I’ll be missing this time dearly.
Save for our dream home.
This is my top financial priority in 2020. We don’t know where we’ll ultimately decide to buy (I literally stalk real estate listings in multiple cities/states/countries) and it may still be a long way out, but I want to keep front and center my goal of buying, building, or renovating my dream home. Stay tuned!
I hope your 2020 is off to a happy, healthy start!
I’d love to hear your goals for the new year! Any needlepoint tips?!
(image: the gorgeous Elysian Bar in New Orleans)
