Right now, it is 7:04 pm on December 31, 2023. The last day of the year. A year I’m sure I will never forget, but that is another post all of its own. Today is about the new year and although resolutions have never been “my thing” it still feels weird to not acknowledge this shifting inside of me. I have made my fair share of lists and dreams and goals to work towards. But eventually that pressure to make lists to begin implementing on January 1st coupled with the inevitable failure to succeed past January 6th became too maddening to handle. In knowing this about myself, I have settled instead on two things that I think will help me approach this year with hope, joy and contentment.

The first thing seems like such a first-world issue, but I am taking all of January off of Instagram. An author I adore, Ashlee Gadd, has a practice where she logs off of IG for the months of January and August entirely, then every other week throughout the year. I joined her challenge this year and while the FOMO is already sky-high, I am looking forward to being more present in my own life, writing, parenting and marriage. Not that IG is my life, but more so that I tend to get really stuck in the comparison trap and feel the need to do moremoremore. Honestly, I just don’t like the version of me that has developed as a result of trying to keep up with what I feel like I *should* be doing. So, I’m logging out and choosing to focus inward on myself and my little world right here for the next 31 days. I do plan to write more this month, so please hold me to that if you know me in real-life!

The second thing is the “In and Out for 2024” lists that I have seen shared by people I follow. I am loving reading each one I come across! So, I decided to create my own on the fly and see what I can come up with. This feels a lot less daunting because there are no set-in-stone steps on how to achieve these things, no timelines or hard rules. Just things that we want more of in 2024 (and also want to do without). I would love to know what things have made it onto your lists!

IN for 2024:

• Homecooked nourishing meals
• Family game nights
• Confidence in myself
• Deepening my prayer life
• More spur of the moment get-togethers with friends
• Learning new skills/hobbies (canning is still terrifying)
• More Sourdough!
• Reading fiction books
• Writing consistently
• Date nights (especially when the kids go to bed)
• Intentionality with my time and relationships
• Dancing in the kitchen
• Finding myself again and taking care of he
• Rest and slowing down
• Thrifting
• Farmer’s Markets

OUT for 2024:

• Comparison
• Mindless scrolling
• Hating my own body
• Mom guilt
• Saying yes to everything without praying first
• The need to please everyone
• Putting everything else above my marriage (this is a hard one)
• Gluten.
• Hustle culture
• Overthinking
• Sparkling water. Just gross.
• Chicken bans in city limits.

That is everything I can come up with off the top of my head. I know I will publish this and think of 5 more things to add, but we are going to not overthink and just go with it. Here’s to the new year, friends!