For me, I think it’s a combination of the weather and the festive holiday mood across the world. It’s also a good time to genuinely and deeply reflect on the past year and all there is to be grateful.
So, I made this small list of festive and productive to-dos to keep myself in the presence of December.
For fun, and to get back into sharing in this space because the world needs some cheer, I’m going to try and document my progress with this list. Think I can do it? To be honest, I’m not sure myself but I’m willing to try.
A lot has happened in the past few weeks! We made a lot of decisions because we had to choose a countertop, tile for the floor, a sink, a faucet, and a style for the cabinets.
I cannot believe all the decisions involved! And things people who don’t do this every day would EVER think of in a million years.
Let’s take the sink for example; do you want a farmhouse sink or not, one bowl or two bowls, a top mount or undermount, a center drain or offset drain, stainless steel or a white sink, and if you choose a white sink, do you want quartz, cast iron, porcelain, etc. Wow!
That all being said, there is some fun to it but I think it would be a lot more fun if I had unlimited funds. Unfortunately, knowing this will be the only time we do this, it is a bit overwhelming.
Here is where we are in the process:
I’m thinking of doing a big reveal so I’m hesitant to share more pictures. And, it seems some of the people I’ve told I want to do a big reveal actually read this blog, but don’t ever tell me they read this blog. Besides, by this time next month we should be close to being done with the kitchen!
This is quite the process and I have learned a ton and made a lot of notes. I am hoping to share my experience and information so others have as much as they can to be prepared for this process.
I can’t believe the days got away from me like that. Actually, I can believe it because I’m not the best with time, but I’m way better than I was and that’s progress.
I did have a bit of an awakening this past month. I joined a book club and realized the book I was reading was running a parallel to my life. Thankfully, I was reminded that I need to continue to focus on myself and my passions. Because in my current role as a mother and wife I can sometimes lose myself. And I’ve learned over the years that if I’m not happy with myself I’m not going to be happy with anyone else.
So, cheers to us moms and wives who are always in the cheering section for everyone else, let’s cheer on ourselves this month and every month on after!
It’s another January 1st. But this one feels different to me than any other January 1st. Perhaps, it’s because of a global pandemic that swept us off our feet, and not in a good way, in 2020. Whatever the reason, I’m going to relish in the thought of a brighter future for us all and this is a great start.
This morning, just as the sun hit my bed, I began to read The New York Times’s The Morning Newsletter. I’ve come to appreciate and love The New York Times during these most unprecedented events in our country and world. Today’s newsletter was a Happy New Year greeting along with tips on how to keep resolutions. A few of the suggestions that really clicked for me on how to keep a resolution and make it a habit was “stacking” or “piggybacking” a new habit onto an existing habit or ritual. Lightbulb!
This read led me into a 7-Day Well Challenge, starting this Monday, to show how to build on healthy habits I made during the pandemic. I’m going to give it a shot. Today’s challenge was to make gestures of gratitude — like giving larger tips for delivery workers or appreciative texts to friends — a regular part of your day. So today, I texted an old friend, who has been a really good friend and I love her for it.
I watched the Oscars last night. Did you? I love the Oscars. I’m a movie buff and I love the escape from our own realities that movies offer us. I can also truly appreciate when an actor makes me believe their character and then can perform a completely different character in another movie, that’s talent. So to watch the award show and the culmination of the year’s movies and all that talent, it’s inspiring. Add the fashion and style that walks the red carpet before the show, and I’m all in!
Last night one speech struck a nerve and truly inspired me within because I keep hearing it over and over in my head, still this morning. It was Hildur Guðnadóttir’s speech after winning best original score for Joker and she said, “To the girls, to the women, to the mothers, to the daughters who hear the music bubbling within, please speak up, we need to hear your voices.” I’m not sure what I’m going to do with that, but I know it struck me and I’d like to think it will inspire some action.
So here’s a post for today’s motivation and I’m hoping it helps with my direction. If not, maybe it will help with yours.
Either way we all need a little Monday Motivation don’t we?