mav scb January 5, 2024 Longtime readers know that I don’t start any new resolutions for a new year until February. I just give myself January to pause and look back on the previous year, even the previous years! I like January as a quiet time of contemplation. I go about my usual routines and allow myself the month to see what will come up and remember what has happened in the past. Here are some of my January notes … xo, MAV ~ I Buy A New Notebook Now, I confess that last years’ January notebook is still sitting empty (I was like a deer in headlights all year last year!), but this year I still got myself a new notebook. I got a red one as usual. I sit with the pages and see what springs forth. I make notes or make lists. I set intentions but not goals. I doodle. I write notes to myself. I just give myself a completely blank notebook for this first month of the new year and see where it goes. I Get Out New Recipes In my new kitchen I don’t have space for all of my cookbooks, so I pulled a small handful to use for January. I will swap them out in February or March after the new recipes that we grow to love have made their way into my life. I try to push myself with new foods or new combinations while listening to my inner voice telling me things like: Go and buy radicchio for tonight’s pasta dinner. I Make Sure To Touch Base With Friends Things get a little wild for me around the holidays. I own a shop. I have a little one. I stay up too late. I live in Maine where we get tons of snow! I admittedly lose touch with those I love the most. In January I give myself plenty of time to just reach out. I leave long voice mails if need be (sometimes more than one). I just think talking, rather than texting or emailing, is the way to go as the year starts. It’s so grounding. I Light A Lot Of Candles This one may seem silly or trite but I see the lighting of each candle, each night, as a small intention setting ritual. I leave the candles lit all evening and certainly do go through a lot of them! It’s peaceful. It slows me down. This is just what I need in January. I Take Care Of Myself If I can budget it, I get a facial in January. I use good oils on my body in the shower. I take long hot baths with epsom salts. I massage my feet with oils each night before bedtime. I use sesame oil to oil pull while showering. I use shea butter on my hands and elbows. Taking care of my little vessel feels like the right way to start the year. It doesn’t take long and doesn’t have to cost a fortune. (I will try to write about simple self-care techniques later this month - you’re going to love the simple sugar scrub!) I Look At The Calendar For The Year This one is new for me. I have never been one to look ahead! But, as I get a bit older, I am enjoying it … can’t even believe I am saying that. I look at each month and see where little trips might fall, see where I might even take day trips. I plan time off from work and start to think about where I want to be on special and meaningful days. When I set intentions for the year ahead I tend to make them happen! I Give Myself A Break I am in a year where I really just want to be easier on myself. Why can’t I be my biggest supporter? Shouldn’t I be? In January in particular I cut out anything that is not necessary or will make me feel pressure. I find I am not my best self when I am pulled in too many directions. I let go of pressures and try to keep things really easy and simple. Happy New Year to you all. We are looking forward to sharing another year with you here! Share TWITTER FACEBOOK TUMBLR PINTEREST EMAIL