Everything today feels like it is going in slow motion, as if 2019 is dragging out the final hours, minutes, seconds of its reign, and what a year it has been! 👑
In fact, just like today, this year has felt longer than the mere 365 days that it is confined to. For me, 2019 refused to be restricted by the hands of time, encompassing a decade worth of emotions, challenges, achievements, adventures, and lessons, and I am so grateful for, and humbled by it. I am also tired, a kind of tired I have never been before; a quiet, soft exhaustion, willing me into a self-defensive hibernation. It is a type of weariness that cannot be fixed by an all-inclusive holiday, but one that demands time and a daily effort to get better, which will be a major focus of my 2020 if I am to get to the end of it in one piece.
I have, as usual, devised some New Year’s resolutions, but want to first revisit those I made for 2019:
Improve my work-life balance - I only really got good at this in the last few months. I have finally learned to say ‘no’ and put the needs of my project first. Because of this, I can now separate my home and work life, achieving the desired balance I need. ✔
Go even further with fitness - I mean, I managed to stay exactly the same in terms of strength and weight, so I neither failed nor succeeded at this. 🤷♀️
Take time offline - I spent a total of 2/365 whole days away from my phone... TWO out of THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE, which is frankly terrifying. So i’m just going to go ahead and say that I failed this one. ❌
Read more books - I definitely read more books, but also bought more books than I could read in 2019, which means I currently have 21 unread books on my book shelf... so I’m not quite sure where I stand with this one. 🤷♀️
Save money - Aside from overspending on books, I saved enough money to buy my first car, so I’m gonna go ahead and call this one a win. ✔
Sleep better - One of the many positive outcomes of improving my work-life balance was the quality of my sleep; it turns out they go hand in hand. ✔
Become more minimalist - I have definitely made progress, but I’m not quite where I want to be just yet. 🤷♀️
Stop checking up on people that I have chosen to leave behind in 2017 - This was a resolution I made 2 years ago. I have chosen to mention it here because it took me longer than I expected to achieve it. This time of the year is often associated with nostalgia and has always been difficult for me with respect to the person this resolution was about. However, for the first time in 12 years he didn’t cross my mind at Christmas and thinking about him now doesn’t hurt. I have finally begun to truly let go and amongst all of my other successes this year, this is by far my greatest achievement. 🥂
Write, write, write - There are only 65 weeks until my thesis deadline! So here’s to drudging through the drudgery and getting it done! 📚
Maintain my work-life balance - In order to manage the workload next year I cannot afford to burn out. 🔥
Create and maintain a safe space to rest - This is in conjunction with the above and following the impact 2019 had on my energy levels. I have learned that I need silence, stability, solitude, and peace to recover and I intend to maintain an environment where this is possible, which for me is my home. 🌿
Talk less, listen more - Sometimes I overshare and/or contribute my opinion where it is not necessarily needed or wanted, so this is something I want to work on next year. 💭
Spend at least one day a week off my phone - Our cumulative addiction to technology is terrifying. I think that in a few years time the biggest regret on peoples deathbeds will be ‘I wish I spent less time on my phone and was more present in the real world’.📵
Spend less, save more - I would much rather have experiences over material items. I know I can do better with saving money than I am right now. 💰
Do more cross-stitching and home cooking - Both bring me joy and allow me to create and unwind. Plus, I have like 4 cross-stitching projects and about 200 recipes to see to and try! 🍰🧵
Improve my health and fitness - I know that this is basically everyone’s resolution, but what’s so wrong with that? 🍏
Thank you to all 615+ of you that follow me! I hope you have a fantastic New Year! 🥂
Fill 2020 with random acts of kindness and give to those less fortunate, be it money, time, or love! ❤
Photo: There’s something about this photo that really fits in with the vibe of this post. Source: Tumblr.
