On what felt just like the 99th day of January 2023, I sat all the way down to assessment my journal entries from the month. I haven’t stored up a journaling behavior like this in over a decade. This time, I set the bar low—write a sentence in regards to the day and you may take into account it “executed”—and I believe that’s what made the behavior stick this time. On some days I wrote only some phrases and on others, sentences poured out of me.
Right now I’m sharing a glance again at my month. Right here’s what January 2023 was like for me…
On the primary of January, I determine 2023 is the 12 months I need to doc my day-to-day in a extra detailed manner. I need to be a greater historian of my very own life. I begin holding a digital journal (utilizing the Day One app) that enables me to each write and add photographs.
On January 2, I write in my journal that as we speak looks like a take a look at. I’m being pulled again into outdated patterns of overthinking and avoiding. I discover this as a result of every little thing feels actually heavy and tough. My thoughts is loud, however I determine to maintain transferring ahead anyway (which occurs to be my mantra for 2023).
On the third, I’ve a microneedling appointment. My face is crimson for the rest of the day.
On the fourth, we get a large quantity of snow. I attempt to embrace the magic.
That is the month I announce that I’m transferring additional into the inside design area with content material on Wit & Delight. I begin providing consulting appointments. There’s a lot assist from our viewers, which feels wonderful, though a way of impostor syndrome creeps up anyway.
This month, we transfer Bennett into her personal room. She claims the visitor room for herself and is so happy with the change.
We now have household meals collectively on the eating desk extra typically. I make tacos one evening and the children love them. They haven’t actually favored something I’ve cooked shortly and it makes me so glad.
In the course of the month, I begin having actually bizarre desires. I take care of a number of panic assaults. I start studying the guide Circulation, and it utterly blows my thoughts.
Spending time with pals is a precedence all month lengthy. For one such event, I make a very nice pearl onion tart that solely requires 5 components (the recipe is from French Nation Cooking by Mimi Thorisson). I instantly comprehend it’s one thing I’ll make many times. I additionally be taught among the finest life hacks: to make your salad dressing in an nearly empty jar of Dijon mustard.
This month I notice one of many colours that appears nice on me is shiny inexperienced. I by no means anticipated this, however I wholeheartedly embrace it.
On January 20, Joe and I drive up north for a cabin weekend with pals. We eat brined and braised pork shoulder with couscous, apricots, and fennel slaw. For dessert, we eat Basque cheesecake and drink fernet. We go antiquing and marvel on the extreme nature of Lake Superior within the winter.
On the twenty third, I can barely get away from bed. As soon as I lastly do, I determine to bike for fifteen minutes. It turns right into a forty-five-minute experience that modifications the trajectory of my day.
I drink so much much less this month—solely when at dinners with others. I work out nearly each single day in some capability. For me, this isn’t about understanding to alter my physique; it’s about understanding to really feel higher emotionally. It feels actually good.
On the twenty fourth, I get my interval and notice my irritable nature of late doesn’t imply I’m an asshole—simply hormonal. The subsequent day, I apologize for what I stated once I was coping with PMS.
I’m scripting this put up on the finish of the final full week of January. This weekend, I’m having pals over for a raclette get together. It looks as if the right exercise within the midst of a polar vortex! The solar is supposedly going to emerge once more within the coming days, which all the time looks like new beginnings to me. Right here’s to a recent begin in February.
Kate is at the moment studying to play the Ukulele, a lot to the despair of her husband, youngsters, and canines. Observe her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.