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
MB @ Bourbon and Brown Sugar
What a great post, Joy! My phone died while I was out of the country this week, and have been forced into a few days without it… it’s actually been nice to be free of it. I too have resolved to cut back on my constant checking… seems such an excellent goal. Oh, and I’ll be adding your two-drink limit to my resolutions as well. Wise indeed. Your blog has been a source of inspiration this year… looking forward to following your adventures in 2015
The Queen of Dreaming
Happy new year to you!! I have so many projects for the new year, let’s see if I can do all of them ;)
https://justsem.wordpress.com/
Kelsey (@alittlerosemary)
I completely understand where you’re coming from. I feel apprehensive when I think about how time is passing so quickly and what I’m doing (or not doing, for that matter) with it. I often feel lost and more than a little confused, but as you said, just keep moving. One foot in front of the other- only way to do it!
I like your goals for 2015 too- they sound similar to what I want to work on as well!
ekabna
I began sponsoring a child through Compassion after reading a post you did last February. What a blessing it has been! I have been on the Be the Match list for years, hoping to get a call one day. And I too, would like to be a chocolate master! I bought a tempering machine, but my first few attempts have been less than stellar. Progress, not perfection!
joythebaker
thank you so so much for sponsoring a child through compassion! that really is incredible!
Jessica
I love what you said about putting 1 foot in front of the other, that’s how things work for me too! Good luck with your goals & Happy New Year!
Rosie
It’s natural to feel so pensive at the end of the old year and beginning of the new…and sharing your thoughts with readers can have good results. Thank you for sharing.
I’m just curious about those enormous delicious-looking buns in your picture – did you bake them? Is a recipe available?
Mallory @forkvsspoon
You had me laughing at the 2 drink max, walking said self home,and turning phone off…
May you have a great New Year!
Gail
I feel as though I need to get my house in order. Too much crap everwhere.. ha ha. This is the Year.
cheyenne
i’ve been feeling the same these past new years days. the thought of a whole new year full of expectations / goals to live up to kinda freaks me out!
xo, cheyenne
Eleanor
“New rule: Two drink max then walk your butt home and turn off your phone”
{Insert laugh-crying emojis}
Oh, how many times do I exceed a two drink max then desperately check my phone first thing in the morning to ensure nothing inappropriate occurred. I may have to adopt this one too.
Happy New Year!
Isabella Mozzarella
I am so happy to read something like this! Don’t get me wrong, all of the classic ‘new year, new me’ posts and memos are inspirational, but I don’t even know what I want to do tomorrow, let alone set goals for the year. I am an all or nothing kind of girl, and I guess I just want to do everything at once, and then nothing at all.
Hmppph.
Good luck with your wishes,
I’ll be following along side you.
Love Isabella x
http://www.isabellamozzarella.co.uk
Suse
We love you too! xx
Rachel
Girl, ditch your phone and you’re most of the way there!
Happy New Year xx
Baking Magique
Happy new year Joy!! :)
Rena
I know this phone thing :) I like your intention for a new kitchen skill, especially as I know there is many room for me … Happy New Year!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com