New Year’s Eve has never been my favorite holiday. I’ve done a lot of reflecting on this over the years and I think I’ve discovered several causes of my New Year’s blues. Firstly, I’m hugely enthusiastic about Christmas. So much so that almost as soon it’s over, I start to wallow in the sad realization that I’ll have to wait 364 days ’till the next one. Secondly, I’m a teacher. My “new year” feeling arrives after Labor Day and ends with the arrival of summer. Lastly, I hate the prospect of resolutions and the pressure of starting the new year off exactly right. My usually enjoyable social media scrolls have turned into an insufferable stream of ads trying to convince me to do Dry January and/or join a gym. Neither is likely.
Instead, I’ve taken the approach that there is no better time to take it easy on yourself than in January. No need for aggressive goals or pursuits to strive for a more perfect self. I have some influence here. Karlee Sisler Flores is the author of a wonderful blog called Olive and Artisan and a few years back I heard about her idea for a “gentle January.” Since reading about her approach, that phrase creeps into my head anytime I start getting New Year’s Resolution FOMO. I also love the book “Wintering” by Katherine May. It’s such a beautifully written book that explores our human need to rest in order to keep moving forward, particularly during the winter months or times in your life that feel like winter: difficult, challenging, scarce.
I rediscovered a love and energy for this space in 2023. In the last half of the year, I began creating more for my little passion project than I have done since I started in 2018. I posted new video content almost weekly on Instagram for 4 months straight. I went into holiday overdrive. And now? I’m taking it easy for a bit. I hope to be even more present on this blog than I was last year, but I’m carving out some time to rest and dream up some more projects to share here in 2024. Stay tuned…
Wishing you a peaceful and restorative January,
Hannah
laretrorecipe.com 