Can I tell you one of my personal truths? The new year… the box marked January 1st on my calendar, makes me all sorts of nervous.
The Internet would have you believe that everyone is full of glee, rainbows, hope, excitement, possibility and plans. It’s fantastic, right? Unless you don’t exactly feel that way… unless you’re a little nervous like me. Now, it’s not that I’m not tremendously hopeful and excited, but the vastness (glory be!) of the 364 days ahead sometimes feels paralyzing with possibility.
Do I sound like I’m complaining? I’m not. Do I sound like I might have a scatterbrain? I do. Do I sound like I don’t know where to place my feet as I step into this year? Pretty true. So far I’m thinking one foot in front of the other is the best (and only) way to go.
What are your resolute intentions for the new year? Do you have a few? Have you written them down on your bathroom mirror in lipstick? Tell me how you’re working this new year!
Here are some things, large and small, I’m thinking about for 2015:
• Dear Joy, turn off your cell phone. Seriously, what would happen if didn’t check your phone when your dinner companion gets up to use the restroom? The world would end, right? Well… let’s try anyway.
• Social media anxiety is sooo 2013. Whether it’s a fear of missing out or a fear of participating… none of it is actually real, so just calm down and maybe try turning off your phone.
• There’s always room to make your kitchen life better. And I think it’s time for a new kitchen skill. I’m thinking I’d like to be a chocolate master. Is that a thing? It’s about to be.
• I speak Spanish and Italian. The only problem is that I speak both at the same time in the same sentence. Helpful to no one, ever. This year maybe I brush up on my Spanish and kick the random Italian out of my Spanish sentences.
• New rule: Two drink max then walk your butt home and turn off your phone.
• Charitable resolutions like Be The Match or Compassion International are always in my year.
• There are all sorts of year-long projects to get involved in at the start of the year. My favorites are: Journal52 (prompts for the 52 weeks of the year… like brain food!). A self-portrait a day with The Everyday App. And journaling with technology using DayOne App.
• When in doubt, when excited, when curious, when hungry for all the things: GUT CHECK. Our guts know.
• Have some fun. Have some dang fun! GEEZ.
Happy New Year. I love you.
xo Joy
Margaret Brown
I appreciate your references to other websites. I just celebrated my birthday recently…. a good time to get started on JOURNAL 52, instead of the traditional Jan-Dec routine!!!
Mary
Just found you. Thank you for personal truth. Refresing.
Annie
I know I am a little late to the party on providing a comment but like the New Year it’s just a date -right? Joy I know His eye is on the sparrow and it’s on you too. He will direct your paths as you acknowledge Him in all your ways. You will continue to be joy to Him and to us. Gosh -there’s a lot of potential and goodness wrapped up in your name. I am going to try that honey bread too and a lot of your other recipes. I love your style and honesty in so many ways. God bless you. Bless means “empower to prosper”.
Ofelia, from Mexico City
Hey, do you speak spanish! Fantástico. Lets talk to spanish right now. Me encanta la idea. Y estoy de acuerdo en que un año nuevo por delante puede resultar aterrador a veces cuando, de pronto, no estás tan segura de hacia donde te diriges. I know that feeling. I have been there. Entiendo tus sentimientos. So, quiero decirte que me encantan tus recetas y que he tratado de prepararlas en mi cocina, con estupendos resultados… JA! Aunque no suelo hacer comentarios, procuro leer tus post tan pronto los publicas y me encantan… Feliz Año!
Synne
This is lovely, Joy! Happy new year! I wish you all the best for 2015 – may it be everything you hope for. You are amazing.