It’s good for you.

I’m happy to see that more people are renouncing the hustle and bustle culture and trying to be present and enjoy their lives offline.

---

---

With every new year comes the pressure of “new year, new me”, new routines, new goals, new pressures etc. I’m not sure when this began and at one point, I partook in the trying to create all things new by January 1st. Over the past year, I decided I’m not making any vision boards (although, I do have a prayerboard), trying to plan my whole year, and having my mind constantly be in go-mode.

Last year, I decided against a vision board and decided to create a prayer board. It held me accountable to actually pray over the desires of my heart for that year and allowed me to fully let go and let God. Every. single. prayer. on my prayerboard, God answered and blew my mind. To this moment I am in awe of His favour, goodness and mercy. Thank you Jesus!

Taking that into account, I decided that this year, I will continue to have a prayerboard and just continue to pray and just be. Watching people plan a whole new personality rebrand for each new year is quite fascinating. Maybe it’s because the older I get, the more I want slowness in my life but I am not mad at it.

I get tired just watching others pull out 55 planners, journals, scrapbooks etc planning their whole year and then getting burnt out by Feb 1st. I blame society’s “hustle & bustle, rat-race and sleep when you’re dead” culture. This is not conducive to anyone. Some people think that if they take a break, it somehow equates to being lazy or unproductive. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Our bodies and minds are not meant to be in go-mode 24-7. Rest is not a privilege but essential and in fact, it can help you to be more productive.

So instead of turning January into a self-improvement project or productivity sprint, I want to share some simple ways you can usher in the new year and take it slow and steady.

• Try and enjoy winter. This is rich coming from someone who used to dislike winter (always loved snow though). Since getting pregnant with my first, I started craving the cold weather and it never left. I simply adore winter now. The season where I get to fully indulge in being a hermit, hibernating and just being warm & cozy.
• Take it easy: Don’t be in a rush to set big goals and all at once. If you must, start small, that could look like read 10 pages before bed or sitting in silence for 10 mins when you wake up.
• Move gently: Think walks, stretching, light movement over high intesity workouts. Let winter be about circulation and care instead of transformation.
• Indulge in warmth: warm foods, warm lighting, warm fabrics. Fall face first into all things that bring you comfort in this season.
• Sacred evenings: The days are short and the nights are long, lean into it. Light a candle or two, run a warm bath, watch a comfort show, have a sweet treat. Let the evenings and nights be slow and unproductive.
• Consume less: I see winter as a season for less input. Protect your space, peace and nervous system. Less news, less social media, less comsumption etc.
• Rest: I’ll say it again. It’s essential and not a privilege. Don’t feel guilty about it either.
• Tending over achieving: Take care of what’s already present, instead of trying to chase newness. Take care of your body, your home, nourish your soul. Achievements aren’t running away.
• Find beauty in the mundane: I find the small details sometimes holds the most beauty. The gentle way snow falls and the surrounding goes quiet in that moment. Watching the steam rise from my cup of hot tea or chocolate. Going for a walk and watching people go about their day. The way the cold winter air whips on your skin. Stop, breathe and just observe.

You don’t need answers, clarity or goals just yet, it’s okay to just linger in the unknown for awhile.

xoxo, Abi🤎