2020 New Year's Resolutions
2020 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
As with always, this past year brought plenty of change, lots of activities and adventures and a good amount of personal growth. It was tough at times, but I’m proud of where it’s gotten me. Before I hop into my intentions for the coming year, a very brief look at some of the highlights of 2019:
An anniversary celebration in Seattle. Getting over my nerves and getting my UK drivers license. A trip to Tokyo and Kyoto that surpassed my expectations (and we even saw cherry blossoms!). Spending my birthday in Paris. Countless friend dinner dates and workout classes. Doing a better job at taking care of myself and making visits to the chiropractor a regular thing. Plenty of Monty Don episodes and transforming our garden in time for summer. Back to Seattle for my mom’s birthday. Revisiting Copenhagen to spend time with my college friend (and my roommate when we studied in China). A brand new job in a new industry. A friends trip to Italy that felt like the perfect vacation and a celebration of us. Movie nights at my favorite theater. Making our current house feel more like a home while simultaneously hunting for a new place…then finding it! The annual end of summer trip to Cambridge with A Girl, A Style. A fashion show first. The most magical and revitalizing driving trip through Bath and the Cotswolds with my parents. Going blonde (and immediately going back to brunette). Christmas at home with the husband and cats. And the end of a really good year (and decade).
Things seem to go up and down, but always more upwards than downwards as the years go on. Cheers to that!
As usual, I love this little questionnaire format (see my 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 resolutions), so I've kept it for this year too. Here are my resolutions for the first year of this new decade:
A bad habit I'm going to break | Keeping the caffeine to a minimum. I’ve already used the holiday break as a chance to reset my system (yes, a couple of dull headaches ensued). I realized towards the end of the year that what was the occasional treat became a habit that I needed before even leaving the house. It feels fresh to wake up with a clear head and no need for a jolt of caffeine to get me out of bed.
A destination I'd like to visit | A place with family (it doesn’t really matter the destination) and somewhere I can drive (our Cotswolds trip this year reminded me how much I love a good road trip). Even better if we can combine both!
I'm going to work harder at | Being present. Not worrying about the past, thinking of places I'd rather be, planning out the future. Just looking around and appreciating the here and now. Because there are so many things to smile about.
A project I'd like to finish | All the little projects going on in our new place. We began putting the finishing touches on our new space towards the end of last year (we’ve luckily had so much help!) and we’re itching to finish up and see the final result. I’ve loved getting to be creative and helping shape the home of our dreams.
A class I'd like to take | More pilates, please!
I'd like to spend some more time doing | Being outdoors and exploring on foot. We’re moving back to a more central spot this year and one of the benefits is being able to walk to several of my favorite parks and some of my very favorite London sights too. Along the way, I’m sure I’ll discover some new favorite haunts.
A food I want to eat more of | Well-rounded meals. I’ve got a not-so-healthy habit of having a couple of snacks in place of lunch (almonds and a latte and a cookie, for example). There’s a definite difference in my productivity and mindset when I’ve had an actual meal (especially if it includes a bit of protein and some greens)—it’s certainly worth any extra effort!
I want to wear more | Fabrics that feel special. I received a pair of Desmond and Dempsey pajamas from my husband for Christmas and the feel of the fabric was like an awakening. How have I never worm cotton this comfortable before? They’re a bit of a splurge, but there’s nothing more luxurious than slipping into a pair of matching pajamas in the evening.
Add your answers (or a resolution or too) in the comments below - I'd love to hear them!
Until next time,
Brenda