Starting the new year with a resolution is something I really cannot get behind. I can’t support this unrealistic expectation. We are mid hibernation, barely in winter proper, it seems totally counterintuitive to start something new or change your routines.
My body is still saying relax, retreat, rest.
Some of us may feel we’ve over indulged, too much cheese or wine over these past few weeks but I wonder if putting the pressure on is helpful; the impending disappointment and guilt of not sticking to it. I suppose it’s similar to the starting on a Monday attitude, a New Year is a fresh start but I really don’t have the inclination or commitment to diet or to sign up for exercise programmes or new hobbies, especially not now. We are plagued with it on social media along with wishy washy life coaches offering their vague one size fits all aspirational quotes.
Take a side step.
Here on the North Coast there’s still a lot of dark days to come, stormy weather, frosty mornings and icy nights with the prospect of snow. January has a reputation for being a dismal depressing month; money is tight, parties are few and far between and the weather usually tinged with a palpable grey misery to accompany already heavy hearts. There’s a fragility in the landscape, it’s in us too. But it’s temporary, I’ve already noticed the daffodils shooting straight up through the cold earth and the buds on trees ready to unfurl. Spring is coming and January feels like a good time to hit pause, take it easy, plan your year ahead, rest and recuperate. (Sorry am I life coaching?!)
For the past few days I’ve been reflecting on 2023 and what I would like to do this year. A perspective interrogation; what really matters to me and what I could change. My intentions. Funny how with a bit of quiet time you can see things clearer, I feel a little at sea with it, I’ve lost my balance but I’m ok to sit with that for a while. A helpful practice was to look through the year of photos on my phone and to purposely not pick the Instagramable moments or work connected memories but to choose pictures where I could recall the very happy feeling of being content in a certain time and place. It was cathartic, to see and remember, I cut it down to nine picures here which was extremely tricky and I take that as a very good indication of a very good year. Thankfully I don’t tend to take photos to capture the negative times!
Snippets of positivity
When I drew open the curtains on New Years Day the sunlight was bright golden, highlighting the shadowy contours of Knocklayde, the sky beaming blue alongside it was movie worthy in it’s scene setting; Cillian commented ‘I think it’s a sign of how good this year will be.’
An donas amach, is an sonas isteach;
Out with misfortune and in with goodness
No recipe this week as I’ve been too busy relaxing; I can only suggest you try this favourite combo, Young Buck Blue Cheese (or similar) with Christmas cake…YUM
Next week it’s Citrus. Thanks for being here with me in 2023, I hope this year I can bring you more delicious food, north coast adventures and wild ramblings xxx
I tried the young buck and Christmas cake - amazing! Thanks
I love the idea of resting, planning and regrouping in January. I’m going to do exactly that—instead of “hit the ground running” as the life coaches recommend!