Not a huge resolutions person, but I’ve felt drawn to a few things for a while now so I suppose they count:
1. Learn and implement more nourishing, homemade foods into my cooking routine (breads, etc)
2. Create spaciousness with 1) dedicated device-free before-school mornings with a music and eating ritual and 2) an established bedtime routine
3. Focus on home-building for 4-6 weeks (taking a break from business-building) to center grounding in our space (downsizing, organizing, system-building)
Love the idea of "spaciousness." I think one of the least mentioned losses of modern life is exactly that – the time of doing nothing, riding an elevator, looking out the window, all of which is often filled by phone. That time is actually precious. It's like a mental reset.
All of these sound fantastic! Check in next week and let me know how they're going. I have implemented my Instagram plan for today and it's been a struggle. 😂 But I did it! Made it all the way to evening.
"Plan!!! Whewee do I SUCK at planning. I want to be much more intentional about thinking at least, say, a week ahead? Have to start somewhere."
Honestly it's been a while since I've felt so seen! I am also so. bad. at planning and I, too, am trying to get better! I'd absolutely read an essay trying to parse out the struggle, because I find this a fascinating thing about myself (and my husband, too) and would welcome an opportunity to think/dialogue about it!
What a beautiful essay Sarah. Particularly liked the part about the tension of needed to make money/make art. I too am working at not looking at email on the phone, and only on my computer. So far so good, and it feels like a healthy and manageable practice! Here's to making and creating more in the new year, thanks for your work as always.
I mean, I’m only a few days into the working part of the year…. So probably worth reporting back later when it’s not a new and exciting challenge anymore 😂
Well, Sarah, I’m not really into New Year’s resolutions, and yet there’s something about this time that seems like solid ground from which to remind myself of some things. It might be that, for me at least, the Christmas season has always seemed like stepping into a timeless place. Now we’re stepping back into time renewed and recentered. After reading your article, I gave myself a few minutes to write down practices I’ve tried to live with, but am still often terrible at. Ten reminders to myself in ten minutes:
1. Not everything is worth doing well.
2. For those things that are, remember one of the central tenets of the Bhagavad Gita …give your all, but don’t be attached to the results. This goes for everything from trying a new recipe to project management to child rearing.
3. Let go of your need to be right, or appear bright and clever.
4. Learn to say less and make sure that what you do say is worth saying.
5. Let others take the credit.
6. Sit, sense and feel your surroundings, and remind yourself that here you are.
7. When the spirit moves you, revel in its expression.
8. When you struggle - make it for a reason.
9. Remember, everyone is fighting their own demons.
I’ve been thinking about number ten on my list of reminders as I was talking to a few people about the list. As opposed to the other nine reminders the word love seems too vague. It could be mistaken simply for being mushy feelings. Then I had a small, but clarifying experience that put the meaning of love in perspective. I realized that the word kindness implies love in action. The kind that counts. And furthermore, being kind does not mean being a milquetoast. One expression of kindness is treating yourself with respect. So I revised number ten to read. ‘Be kind, but don’t be a patsy.’
Not a huge resolutions person, but I’ve felt drawn to a few things for a while now so I suppose they count:
1. Learn and implement more nourishing, homemade foods into my cooking routine (breads, etc)
2. Create spaciousness with 1) dedicated device-free before-school mornings with a music and eating ritual and 2) an established bedtime routine
3. Focus on home-building for 4-6 weeks (taking a break from business-building) to center grounding in our space (downsizing, organizing, system-building)
Love the idea of "spaciousness." I think one of the least mentioned losses of modern life is exactly that – the time of doing nothing, riding an elevator, looking out the window, all of which is often filled by phone. That time is actually precious. It's like a mental reset.
All of these sound fantastic! Check in next week and let me know how they're going. I have implemented my Instagram plan for today and it's been a struggle. 😂 But I did it! Made it all the way to evening.
"Plan!!! Whewee do I SUCK at planning. I want to be much more intentional about thinking at least, say, a week ahead? Have to start somewhere."
Honestly it's been a while since I've felt so seen! I am also so. bad. at planning and I, too, am trying to get better! I'd absolutely read an essay trying to parse out the struggle, because I find this a fascinating thing about myself (and my husband, too) and would welcome an opportunity to think/dialogue about it!
Ohhhh interesting!! Will think on that (and maybe plan :)
One New Year’s Resolution that changed my life: when you think something nice about someone, tell them!
YES! Huge.
What a beautiful essay Sarah. Particularly liked the part about the tension of needed to make money/make art. I too am working at not looking at email on the phone, and only on my computer. So far so good, and it feels like a healthy and manageable practice! Here's to making and creating more in the new year, thanks for your work as always.
Thanks so much, Anna, and thanks for your note. I am failing miserably at my email vow! 😭 How are you doing it??
I mean, I’m only a few days into the working part of the year…. So probably worth reporting back later when it’s not a new and exciting challenge anymore 😂
Well, Sarah, I’m not really into New Year’s resolutions, and yet there’s something about this time that seems like solid ground from which to remind myself of some things. It might be that, for me at least, the Christmas season has always seemed like stepping into a timeless place. Now we’re stepping back into time renewed and recentered. After reading your article, I gave myself a few minutes to write down practices I’ve tried to live with, but am still often terrible at. Ten reminders to myself in ten minutes:
1. Not everything is worth doing well.
2. For those things that are, remember one of the central tenets of the Bhagavad Gita …give your all, but don’t be attached to the results. This goes for everything from trying a new recipe to project management to child rearing.
3. Let go of your need to be right, or appear bright and clever.
4. Learn to say less and make sure that what you do say is worth saying.
5. Let others take the credit.
6. Sit, sense and feel your surroundings, and remind yourself that here you are.
7. When the spirit moves you, revel in its expression.
8. When you struggle - make it for a reason.
9. Remember, everyone is fighting their own demons.
10. Love
Absolutely love these, Kevin, and thanks for taking the time to come up with this. I really want to focus on numbers 4 and 5.
I’ve been thinking about number ten on my list of reminders as I was talking to a few people about the list. As opposed to the other nine reminders the word love seems too vague. It could be mistaken simply for being mushy feelings. Then I had a small, but clarifying experience that put the meaning of love in perspective. I realized that the word kindness implies love in action. The kind that counts. And furthermore, being kind does not mean being a milquetoast. One expression of kindness is treating yourself with respect. So I revised number ten to read. ‘Be kind, but don’t be a patsy.’
What do you think?