December 21 – Future Self (Author: Jenny Blake)
Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?)
Your daughter's childhood is going by so fast. Enjoy it all! Don't worry too much about your career path. You'll have time to work on that later. Just make sure you are ready to jump on that horse when the opportunity arises. Your life is right in front of you right now, so enjoy the heck out of it!
Also, get your finance in order! It doesn't have to be perfect, just legible.
Bonus note to my past self:
Don't wait to do things with people you admire and like. Sometimes people get taken away from you by sheer random circumstances, so appreciate everyone in your life right now.
December 22 – Travel (Author: Tara Hunt)
How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year?
I traveled to the coast to enjoy the New Year with friends. I traveled several times for calling gigs. I traveled several times (including once solo with my daughter) to see various family and cousins. It was fun. Next year, we are taking a 12 hour trip to see one cousin I haven't seen in nearly a decade.
I'd like to do more short vacation travels to both the coast and the mountains. I'd like to get back to calling more in the region.
December 23 – New Name (Author: Becca Wilcott)
Let’s meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why?
When I was in high school, I accidentally reversed my first and middle names on the reference cards our teacher asked us to fill out. For the first couple weeks, my teacher called me by my middle name. It was a very odd, yet liberating experience. I could be this new person! I could be anyone! I already use my grandmother's name as a handle around the internet.
But I don't think I'd change my name. I own it pretty well.
December 24 – Everything’s OK (Author: Kate Inglis)
What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead?
When my daughter actually put herself to sleep, and it was early enough so that my husband and I could sit on the couch together in the evening. That had been an impossibility before. We looked at each other and said "Wowww, isn't this nice?" then collapsed in giggles. We realized that we were going to get our relationship back despite the demands of parenting. We still have that awareness of our intimate companionship.
December 25 – Photo – a present to yourself (Author: Tracey Clark)
Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you.
My husband took this of me and my daughter in our front yard.
I like that it shows me in one of my favorite new skirts with leggings because I have hope that I can find my fashion sense after decades in jeans and chinos.
I also like that it shows me in my everyday life as a mother. I'm loving and attentive. I like to share my appreciation of the world with my daughter.
December 26 – Soul Food (Author: Elise Marie Collins)
What did you eat this year that you will never forget? What went into your mouth & touched your soul?
A roasted vegetable stew. Fall root veggies roasted with garlic, rosemary and salt, then stewed and mashed. It spoke of a hearty harvest and of feeding my family with food both delicious and nutritious.
December 27 – Ordinary Joy (Author: Brené Brown)
Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?
When my daughter decided she'd rather sit in the booster seat for meals, we really enjoyed sitting at the table as a family.
December 28 – Achieve (Author: Tara Sophia Mohr)
What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down.
Clearing space in the house.
I already cleared significant space in the living room for Christmas. We all felt the lightness and joy that comes from having clear space to play in. It made me want to get rid of or pack away even more of my possessions and/or clutter. I imagine I'll feel even happier and more energetic with less stuff weighing us down.
Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today.
10 things to do/thoughts to think to have more clear space:
1. Pack away things we are not using much.
2. Sweep the floor frequently.
3. Donate some books.
4. Shred some paper.
5. Clear clutter piles off all chairs.
6. Put some bigger unused baby gear up for sale on Craigslist.
7. Take tools from renovation back into the basement.
8. Throw out old receipts and utility statements that are past usefulness (that's virtually all of them!).
9. Pack up old baby clothes and get them out of the house!
10. Don't buy anything new in January (except house renovations).
Bonus 11: Notice how happy and energetic clear space makes me feel.
Okay, that's it for now! Happy Christmas week!
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