Happy New Year, Friends!
And welcome 2025!
I know it sounds like a cliche, but boy oh boy, that happened fast.
One minute I was packing for our Thanksgiving trip and the next thing I knew, the ball was dropping a mere 45 minutes from my home. In the middle of a crazy thunderstorm.
Poof.
Where did the time go?
Well, I can tell you where it didn't go...I didn't spend one minute thinking about resolutions or goals for this brand new year.
Nope. Not one.
To be honest, it felt a little unusual. You see, I'd been conditioned to spend that last precious week of the outgoing year reminiscing about what I should've accomplished and ruminating on all the things I should do in the new one.
I made lists, charts, plans, set goals, intentions and, yes, resolutions.
Which I now consider a dirty little word.
Because you see, I never followed through.
Well, not in any meaningful or long term way.
Even when I tried to dumb it all down and pick a word for the year. All I ended up with was failure and regret.
Then last year, I had an epiphany.
What if I just did more of what I liked and less of what I didn't?
Within reason, of course.
I called it My Year Without A Plan.
And you know what? It worked!
Splendidly.
You can read that post if you like, but basically I decided to follow my gut and let it guide my actions.
The result?
I ate better, simply because I put the emphasis on eating what tasted good and made me feel good. I didn't follow any kind of diet plan.
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| Chicken Crust Pizza Recipe |
Or deprive myself.
And I was amazed at how clearly I could see what bothered my stomach or made me feel tired or bloated once I really paid attention.
Then it was just a matter of listening to my own body. No books, no plans. No pressure.
I also started walking a few miles a day from nothing, a daily habit that began with one hand in hand stroll with my husband, through our little seaside village.
Each night we'd walk a little further, not because we were trying to get to some magic number of steps, we just didn't want the walks to end.
We walked in the rain, under the stars, before breakfast, in the cold and once in the snow.
Some days we walked with purpose, other days we stopped in the shops along the way or grabbed a bite at at one of the many pubs that line the street.
I doubt this behavior would be approved by any exercise guru, but it got us moving 7 days a week. And I call that a win, by any standards.
We also traveled more, cultivated the relationships we valued and made time for things we always said we wanted to do, but didn't, because we stopped doing things that didn't bring us joy.
Without lists, goals, checklists and, best of all, without regret.
Exactly what I said I wanted to do in that first post of 2024.
And what I plan to continue to do in 2025.
🙂
How about you? Do you make resolutions?
Happy New Year, Friends!
I'm not a resolution person at all. Walking is great exercise. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a resolution person either, Cindy! It just took me a while to figure that out!! Haha!! I wish you a wonderful 2025, full of joy and happiness!!
DeleteHappy New Year, oh yes, I loved this post. The story about how you started walking and how you would go a little further, just so it would not end, that has happened to us too.
ReplyDeleteIn 2024 I made it a point to spend time with 4 of my special friends in person each month of the year. We did it! And it felt good. Making time for those we love and saying NO to busy.
Carla
That's wonderful Carla!! I did the same with friends and it was wonderful. I'd let too much time go by and too many busy tasks keep me from from saying yes...and I'd forgotten how good saying yes to the fun things felt!! Happy New Year and all the best to you and your family in 2025!!
DeleteThat sounds like it worked perfectly for you... and it's what I do too! No plans, no resolutions, no goals just working each day to make myself better than the previous.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like the best, Joanne! I'm glad I finally hopped on board with the free range new year's plan!! Haha!!
DeleteI quit making resolutions years ago for the same reasons. I never chose a word of the year. I did what you did. I don't live by the sea like you do, but I still walk every day around my apartment complex. It's about a mile. I have met some really nice people (and their pets) while getting fresh air and exercise. I eat better without forcing myself to eat food that I don't like just because it's good for me. Like you, I am much happier this way. I am healthy, fit and quite content. Have a happy New Year! - Briana from Texas
ReplyDeleteBriana, it sounds like a fabulous way to ease into the year and a doable way to keep up doing what feels good and ultimately what truly IS good for you with no stress. It also sounds like it's had some fabulous perks for you, too. I'm glad I've finally caught on! Happy New Year from NY!!
DeleteI always say I am on the No Plan, Plan Kim, and I find it usually works for me. I may make some cringe with my fly by the seat of my pants outlook (my husband included), but when I make plans, they never seem to work out. So, I started just doing the things, and kicking the plan by the seat of it's pants out the door. I love this outlook you have now! Congrats, and I am so glad it worked out so well for you and your husband. <3
ReplyDeleteCara, I am all about THIS!! It sounds contradictory, but I always find out when I go with the flow, things work out better for me. Glad to hear I'm not alone!! Happy New Year and all the best in 2025!!
DeleteI am right there with you my friend. I plan on enjoying each day and doing things that make me feel good. I think at this point in life we know what makes us feel miserable when we eat it and what makes us feel good. My new year is going to be more of showing kindness and paying attention to me. Life is so much happier. Happy New Year. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDeleteI love hearing all of this, Kris! Maybe we can keep each other on track!
DeleteI hope that 2025 has been kind to you so far and that this year has nothing but wonderful things in store!! Happy New Year my sweet friend!! Xo
It sounds like a wonderful year! I also love how you walked at the shore. Such a peaceful way to walk and enjoy precious time!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Mrs. White! I agree, walking on the shore is so peaceful. There's no place like the beach and I was blessed to be born on an island. It's tougher to love in the winter, but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Happy New Year!!
DeleteYou have hit the nail on the head. That is exactly what I have been doing the last couple of years. I gave up picking a WORD and I gave up Resolutions because I would fail and then feel guilty. I also walk a minimum of 3 miles a day. The pups certainly have encouraged my walking and Scruffy and I loved it and now our joyful little Coco adds to the fun of the walk. She is inquistive and gives little yips of joy as we walk along. She has come a long way from the scared/shy little girl we adpoted about 10 weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful new year, Kim. I cherish my friendship with you. xo Diana
Diana, I cherish my friendship with you, too. It’s been one of the best perks of blogging! Getting older has done nothing for my complexion or my joints, but it's definitely helped me to see some things a little clearer…and the hype surrounding resolutions is one of them. I’m glad to leave that tradition behind!! I’m also glad to hear that Coco has settled in and has doubled the puppy induced joy in your home. I hope there’s more of that, peaceful times, happiness and health in 2025 my dear friend! Xo
DeleteI love this Kim! I'm just thrilled to hear how you and your husband walk together along the shoreline, or in your local town. Isn't it the best to walk and share life with your beloved! And definitely, paying attention to what causes tummy troubles has helped us so much too. Love your chicken pizza, we've made that many times, and it is sooo good! I haven't done resolutions for years and never have done the word choice. My hope and desire is to walk as closely to the Lord and let Him be my focus. Life is much less complicated that way! Many blessings to you, dear friend!
ReplyDeleteHello Marilyn! Happy New Year, my friend! It makes me smile from ear to ear to hear that you've made the chicken pizza!! It really is delicious and so easy to make. It sounds as if you've found a peaceful way to walk through the year and I think that's wonderful. Faith is a powerful ally!! Here's to a peaceful and joyful 2025! I know you have so many exciting days ahead in your new home and with your expanding family!!
DeleteI'm right there with you. I just can't bring myself to pick a word or vow to do this or that. I never keep my resolutions, either. I like your approach best! I'm glad you did more of what brought you joy in 2024. I think that just trickles down into every other aspect of your life, and everything improves!
ReplyDeleteI so agree, Mandy! Doing more of what brings me joy does have a global effect. I really hope to do more of that this year, because it does blunt the tougher days a bit. All the best in 2025!
DeleteResolutions are just made to be broken!!! Lol
ReplyDeleteYes!! And that's one resolution I could actually keep!! Hahaha!! Happy New Year!!
DeleteSounds like you have it all figured out - moving peacefully and intentionally through your year, which is exactly my own plan! I do write down some things I want to accomplish, but mostly they are projects for my home. As for myself? I am a work in progress and expect that the change of calendar won't alter that. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteGina, I'm nodding through your entire comment. I have a few things I'd like to do this year too, but I hold them loosely, because I know that things change, circumstances change and like you said, I am constantly changing. As for having all figured out, I don't know about that, but I'm trying. Like you said...work in progress. Happy New Year, my friend.
DeleteI have a few goals, like reading actual books again, but overall I like what you've done. We only go down the other way because culture tells us this is what we must do! Ha!
ReplyDeleteDeanna Rabe
I think a few specific goals are a great idea, Deanna. For instance, I'd like to learn how to crochet this year...wish me luck!!
DeleteI think I gave up on resolutions in my 20's. Needless to say, that was a long time ago! As I get older I realize it's much more important to take care of yourself and do the things you love. Happy New Year, my friend!
ReplyDeleteAnn, you got wise to the game long before I did, that's for sure! I was caught up in the hype for far too long. I'm sure it works for some people, but I'm not one of them. Turns out, I did more last year without a plan, than I did in prior years without elaborate ones!! Our meeting was exhibit A!! Or maybe it was because the kids moved out...hmmm. I wonder...😉
DeleteKim, I think you did, and will do, just right. It is stressful to put yourself on a schedule that, secretly, you know you can not keep. I have and still do occasionally, make lists of things to do and it really is a great feeling to cross something off, but when you miss a few days, then a few more, I only feel bad. Maybe I selfishly think I have earned all the rests I can get, but that seems to be the guideline that I am now using. A lot of sitting, watching TV and dreaming about what might have been! My only resolution this year is to do more thrifting and I will really be upset if I don't follow through..Happy New Year, my friend..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteMore thrifting sounds wonderful, Judy, and while I don’t have any big resolution type goals, I certainly do have some things I want to do this year and thrifting is one of them! I’m also a pad and paper type girl, so I make lists occasionally, too, and yes, I love crossing off what I accomplished! Nothing like a good old check mark to make me smile!! I hope you have a lovely 2025 and a warm and cozy weekend in your charming home!
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