One of my readers (thanks Jessica!) reminded me this afternoon that I never posted my New Year’s Resolutions! Better late than never, right? Without further ado:
#1 – Live in the moment. I’m a compulsive planner, so I’m always looking ten steps ahead rather than savoring the here and now. This year, I want to slow down, practice a bit of patience (ugh), and appreciate what I have right in front of me. This includes taking more bubble baths.
#2 – See the world. Moving back to Europe means I’ll have an incredible opportunity to travel all over the globe. I want to take full advantage of this. Stay tuned for a great deal more travel content here on the blog.
#3 – Find my blogging voice. Though you’re probably familiar with my design style, I don’t know that my personality comes through. Nearly every intern I’ve had over the years has told me that I’m not at all as they imagined (probably because I have a bit of a swearing habit…it makes my mother so upset). I’ve always wrestled with the “public” aspect of being the blogger. I’m going to try to be more open about my personal life this year (it’s pretty boring, you’ve been forewarned).
#4 – Give this blog a facelift. I’m so excited about this. The Neo-Trad will be getting a makeover (I’m even thinking of rewriting The Neo-Trad Manifesto—any old timers remember it?!) and I’ll be coming up with fun new features and series. Also, as you may have noticed, I’m posting more often. I’d LOVE to hear more from you all, too!
#5 – Send more birthday cards. I’m the worst. I can’t even remember my husband’s birthday half the time. This year, I’m going to memorize it. And I’m going to put birthday cards in the mail (possibly even on time).
#6 – Give back. I’m hoping to find some volunteer opportunities in Copenhagen. Years ago, in New York, I called my mom crying about something trivial and her response was, “You need to start volunteering.” I loved that rather than say, “It’s going to be okay. You’re amazing,” the message was more like, “Pull yourself together and go help someone that actually needs it.” Such badass parenting. Step one…? I’m going to start highlighting some great charities here on the blog.
#7 – Learn some Danish. It may not be the world’s most beautiful language, but I’m going to give it a shot.
#8 – Eat fewer Sour Patch Kids. I have a serious sweet tooth. It’s a problem. My husband always says that if he ate like me, he’d weigh 500 pounds. If I don’t stop, I will be 500 pounds. So yeah, I need to eat more veggies and less sugar. Starting…tomorrow.
#9 – Live simply. In other words, keep chipping away at my student loans. Though I am passionate about great products, I don’t shop nearly as much as you might think. The struggle is real.
#10 – Be a better wife. My husband, Simon, is the greatest. He’s tremendously funny, freakishly brilliant, has a sexy English accent, and a big, handsome Jewish nose. He runs to CVS in the snow when I’m craving Häagen-Dazs and does the bulk of the dishes and laundry (I know, I hit the jackpot…). In 2016, I want to do more nice things for Simon. Maybe I’ll finally learn to cook. Or maybe I’ll stop leaving my clothes strewn all about the house. Baby steps.
#11 – Read more books. I’ve fallen off the reading wagon again. Any book suggestions…?
Wish me luck! I would LOVE to hear your resolutions! Do we have any in common…? Have you stuck to yours so far…? Do tell!
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Hi Katie! These are great! I’m a longtime reader and love your style and voice. I can’t wait to read more!
I recently watched a Danish show on Netflix that I LOVED and totally devoured. It’s called Dicte, and I bet it will help with your Danish practice too.
Happy New Year!
Anna Beth – We have Dicte in our queue! So glad to hear it’s worth watching. Will have to give it a try soon. Thanks for your sweet note. Happy New Year!
Send more birthday cards is a wonderful resolution. Sure, you can write on somebody’s fb wall. But getting a card in the mail is a wonderful feeling. :)
Marian – Ain’t that the truth! Thanks for saying hello! xx
Books! A quick but lovely and different read is Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offil. So good (if you like the style). You might be into The Minaturist (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18498569-the-miniaturist) it’s historical fiction about Amsterdam, I loved the sense of place in it!
Kait – I’m planning a trip to Amsterdam so The Miniaturist would be a perfect book for me to start with! So glad you said hi and thanks for the recs! xx
I thought so! I hope you enjoy both the book and the new city!
Kait – Aw thanks! I’ll be sure to report back! :)
Katie, these are great. A wonderful book to check out is “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah. I read a ton of books and this was the best book I’ve read in 6 years? Terrific. Love your blog!
You should read “All The Light We Cannot See”. It was my favorite book I read last year. Beautifully written and a compelling story. I love new year resolutions!! One of mine is to cook a meal out of “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” once a month and make it fancy. I’m hoping it prevents me from treating cooking as too much of a chore! Good luck with yours!
Birthday cards, giving back, living simply (I’m with you on those student loans!), books, books, books! Yes to all! I loved Big Magic by Liz Gilbert (and also her podcast)! Love all your book lists…must get to the library. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve read your blog for such a long time now and I DO remember the Neo-Trad Manifesto! I really enjoy that you’ve been posting more often and I’m excited to see the blog facelift, as well as reading more of your writing. I’ve been going back-and-forth on setting up my own blog (food/cooking/restaurant focused) for about two years now, so maybe this will be the year.
I really relate this year to your #9, Live Simply. This is something that I’ve been trying to do in my own life. I look around my condo and there’s just. so. much. stuff. It’s time to pare down and make do with fewer things. Quality over quantity is the mantra this year. And, I hear you about chipping away at the student loans!
I love that you shared these! My resolutions are much similar, but I hadn’t thought of the birthday cards. I’m going to take a page out of your book and add that to my list – I too struggle to remember people’s birthdays… Here’s to keeping those damn resolutions! (I recently read an article that claimed people who swore more than others also had larger vocabularies, so I’ve decided to embrace my troublesome potty mouth. Just something to ponder while you try to find your blogging voice. It certainly made me feel less guilty!) :-)
Christina – Will order The Nightingale today. Thank you for your sweet comment!
Jess – I have that book on my nightstand! Have yet to crack it open though…I’ll have to give it a try tonight. Good luck on your cooking resolution, anything Julia Child sounds fun. I would have to begin with a monthly recipe from ‘Cooking for Dummies.’ :)
Lauren – Ohhh I love Elizabeth Gilbert and I haven’t read the new one. Good call! Good luck on your student loans as well — aren’t they just the worst?! Happy New Year!
Heather – I love a familiar face! I so relate to the “so much stuff.” We’re getting rid of almost everything before we move and something about it feels AMAZING. Less is more, indeed. Excited to see the direction you take with your blog this year! xx
Lindsay – Hah! I love that fun fact about swearing. I’m going home for a visit next week and when my mom scolds me I’ll be sure to share it with her! Thanks for saying hello! xx
I’m also going to try to send all of my friends a birthday card too. It’s always so nice to get a thoughtful piece of mail.
Trader Joe’s is a great place to stock up on cards. In order to make this resolution a little simpler I stock up on a bunch of cute cards everytime I’m there.
Nora
Nora – That’s such a good idea. Trader Joe’s is the greatest. My grandmother often sends me cards from them and they always make my day. Hope your new year is off to a great start! xx
Katie! Love the resolutions. I think everyone should shoot to live more simply. Would teach us to all be more appreciative. Mine are pretty simple resolutions but I also had to be adventurous and travel to one place I had never been this year. Hope I can accomplish that. I have been following since…well forever! Still dream of the day you will bring Matchbook back ;). We actually had a Matchbook KC girls night once (Fallon included)! Pretty sure we speaker called you in! Can’t wait to see what your blog has in store with all your exciting adventures ahead!
xoxo
sending birthday cards was on my resolution list as well – i remember years ago (when i moved from boston to missouri -ah love -) purchasing a few of your treasures(still have the equestrian ashtray, and tortoise ice bucket) which always arrived w/ a lovely handwritten note. have always enjoyed your perspective…. danish is a tricky language (my husband is from denmark – we visit 1x a year) …be patient w/ yourself.
Katie –
Lovely to hear about your resolutions and plans for the blog! I have followed for years and love your style and perspectives. I’m excited to follow your adventures to Europe and your take on living simply – I think experiences and quality, well-loved items are the best way to spend our resources but it’s so hard not to get caught up in all the pretty new things! But if anyone can do it with style it will be you :)
all of your resolutions are grand! best of luck in keeping them. for books i would recommend “my life in france” by julia child and “fates and furies” by lauren groff. enjoy!
Love these! I never understand why so many people make resolutions of the punishing kind — resolutions should just make life a little better.
My resolutions: consume more (books, movies, tv shows, podcasts — there’s so much great stuff out there, I’m finding I need to actively make an effort to soak in the best of it and maybe lay off the HGTV reruns), consume less (I’ve had a very itchy online shopping trigger finger lately and even though I’m buying things I love, I just don’t need so much), consume better (as in, food quality — I’m a pretty healthy eater but too often I snack my way through the day instead of eating meals and handfuls of trail mix and popcorn and cheese cubes really aren’t an appropriate dinner for an adult).