This year has snuck up on me a little.
That’s the problem with the end of your year being the busiest time. It’s all go and you don’t really have time to think. On this occasion, it’s possible that it’s a good thing. No overthinking. Just life happening one day after another.
Someone asked me about New Years resolutions the other day. I hadn’t given it a moment’s thought. So now that I’m here – I have no grand plans or schemes that have been whirring around in my head for months, percolating. No, I’ve shown up entirely unprepared, and I have only the thoughts of this moment. And the singular thought that comes up now every time someone asks me about my resolutions is –
Be. Better.
Delusional?
It would be fair to suggest that my singular thought could be construed as a little overwhelming. Be better seems like a fairly mammoth task. But for what it is worth, my aspirations aren’t all that grandiose. Better, for me, can be a marginal thing. Just little improvements here and there.
At the same time, I’ve never really been known to do things by halves. So my brain is already racing about trying to think about all the things I aim to achieve –
- Write daily. I’ve become lazy. I need to get back to basics – write MORE.
- Get the bleedin’ PhD done. Or quit it. You know? Stop letting it eclipse your life.
- Be more patient.
- Be more kind.
- Be better with money!
- Get that novel done?
And that’s really it. Usually at this time of year it’s a long spiralling list of things I may or may not get done. But these five things? There are a couple of bigguns in there, but totally achievable, I reckon.
There are probably a few other sneaky targets that I have stewing in my brain, but you know I can’t play all my cards just yet.
Today.
As a means to encourage me to write more – I thought it might be nice to simply journal my year to document how I spend my time and who I spend it with. Hopefully it’ll encourage me to spend my time more wisely too.
So, firstly, Happy New Year! It’s the 1st of January, 2025. Madness. And, as I’ve come to expect at this point, it feels just like any other day. I didn’t want to wake up, but the little Lion was adamant and all but pulled me downstairs to watch TV. We cuddled with My Neighbour Totoro on the screen until my sister-in-law and niece emerged from their bedroom.
Studio Ghibli was followed up by Spellbound, but I took myself off to have a shower at that point, so I still need to watch it.
After some tears because she wasn’t allowed chocolate, we finally managed to pack the dog and child into the car to go to the in-laws for dinner – which was, frankly, lovely. After a few days/weeks of eating rubbish, the quantity of vegetables I ate was much appreciated.
We saw out the day by playing some games and relaxing both at theirs and back home.
To be honest, it was a slow day, and I have to say that I hope not entirely reflective of the year ahead, but I am happy with how I spent it – surrounded by family and contemplating the path ahead.