There's all kinds of pressures that happen today, most self inflicted or based on some archaic New Years Eve superstition.
From resolutions, to cleaning, and even a flash drive to a local mall to get a new outfit, I've also fallen prey to doing anything possible to "start the new year right."
"Right," I came to believe, was to tie-up loose ends from the previous year, make sure I had no trash or old anything laying around. Our home was to be impecable, and I was to look the part.
I always had a new vision board, new planner and at least one new piece of furniture in our home to kick off the new year.
I had "goals" written out, and my hubby and me even tried to write a letter that we would then open the following New Year's Eve.Last year I picked a word that would define 2013, "happiness," and kicked off the year Bollywood Style.
For all intents and purposes, I have done everything in my power to do the right thing, and every year, without fail, something throws me off.
Tis life.
So today, the last day of 2013, I'm doing a few things different: I'm not cleaning, definitely not organizing, and will wear whatever I have in my closet that also fits over my cast (need I remind ya'll that I just had ankle surgery three weeks ago?).
I only purchased one new lamp (online, of course!), and have yet to find the chair we need to finish our living room décor.
I have oodles of "stuff" to donate, and many more to sell on Craiglist.
I haven't decided on a planner or whether or not I'm creating a vision board this year.
I turned down every New Years Eve Party invite, and instead happily commiting to having a quiet New Year's Eve celebration at my moms home.
I still haven't picked a "word to define 2014," because one word doesn't seem to fully capture what my plans for the new year will be.
While my usual New Years Eve plans seen a bit convoluted, I know that my priority in the new year will be to a kinder person towards myself.
I also know that I'm entering a new phase in my life after taking a new direction in both eduction and career.
But the most important goal that I have for myself in the new year is to manage my expectations.
Narrowing all this down to one word that will define 2014 just doesn't seem to make sense for me right now.
What does make sense, and what speaks to me at this moment in time, is a a beautiful quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:
"Life is a journey, not a destination."
Here's to the journey that 2014 will bring to us...
May ya'll be blessed with a guiding light in that helps you see the beauty in your journey.
With much love and appreciation for your support,
