There is always something refreshing about January. The back to school season is the official kick off for what my kids’ consider to be their new year, but for many of us, it’s January that we turn to for fresh ideas, new plans and goal setting.
This year is no different for me. I have been quite absent here since before the holidays, but I promise that’s not because I haven’t had things to share – it’s because I really disconnected this year. Although I am never truly offline (and rarely fully off work, given the nature of my job) it still meant that I wasn’t sharing stories like I usually do. Even my Instagram story presence (where I usually share snippets of my day/life) were quieter than usual.
However, that down time, and our driving time in the car to visit family, and my quiet afternoons (that I thoroughly enjoyed) meant that I had plenty of time for planning and reflection.
This is going to be my year.
My year for what? I’m not 100% sure. But I plan on making it the year I full step into the light. The year I grow my social media and writing business. The year I help others carve out the time in their own lives they are craving for personal or professional creativity.
I have big plans that involve me finally offering things I said I would for year. On this blog, I want to share more recipes, more stories, and possibly lean into my local love even further, while bringing my national readers tidbits that they can use and relate to.
January is refreshing and this momentum feels amazing.
In the meantime, I usually set out goals, intentions and even words to help guide the year. I’m not one to make resolutions per se, but having a few ideas to keep me on track has always been helpful.
And it’s taken me a while to determine what a word to guide me might be but I think I finally found one:
Value.
What I mean by value is that I need to appreciate my worth and value it. How I spend my time needs to have meaning and value (because it’s so important to me). My rates need to reflect my value. My ideas and creative process is valuable to those who I’m working with or collaborating with. I need to value my personal moments and those around me who help bring joy into my world. By remembering my own value, and realizing what I prioritize to be valuable, it will keep me focused and appreciative.
So that’s that. The start to the new year has already begun and now that the kids are back in school I am feeling ready to create, plan, grow and succeed.
