Live Free: Hello 2014

Hello. How are you? Warm? Trying to be? This cold snap seems to be the big news on everyone's mind (at least in the States).

I'm sitting here, typing, with a big cup of tea next to me, and some John Coltrane playing on the record player. Nice, right? I'm not complaining.

Ah...January. You feel good, big chill and all. Yesterday was our first day back to business as usual and I must say the holidays were quite lovely. December, was, for the most part, unhectic and slow, laced with minimal feelings of obligation or guilt on my part. I like to think we kept our noses to the ground, blinders up, and did our own thing sans mainstream culture. Sure, through our best of intentions there were moments of overwhelm and overstimulation for the youngin', but there were even more of the warm and fuzzy, peaceful and calm, I can't believe I'm here at this point in my life making wholesome memories with my offspring sorts.

And the weeks following Christmas were divine. A bit mild. A bit cold. Very little interaction outside the home. The three of us really getting some good quality time to connect with one another. Days and days of flow. When everyone is doing there own thing, but no one is being brushed aside. Needs are being met. We feel good. Our true beings getting their well-deserved chance to shine.

Those are the days.

So, of course, I've been thinking about 2013 and 2014. Evaluating what worked and what didn't. Contemplating what change is necessary moving forward. One thing I've learned over the years is that small changes make the greatest impact. For instance, last year, I got out of the habit of drinking a morning smoothie. Which means, I got out of the habit of nurturing my body with a healthy breakfast. I spent the year feeling sluggish and irritable by early afternoon. So this year, I need to work on making smoothies again every morning. My body deserves it! And I know I can do because I did it for years prior to the last one.

Another tweak to my routine is charging my phone in the kitchen at night as opposed to charging it in the bedroom (which leads to checking emails, instagram, facebook, etc. late at night). I do this sometimes, and on those nights, I read more, wind down more easily, and sleep more soundly.

As for excercise, Byron and I are signed up to do yoga together on Thursday night. What a treat! A mini-date once a week. A great benefit of mamas working together to watch each other's children! And the studio is walking distance to us, so if the yoga wasn't enough an evening walk to and fro is the cherry on top.

In some ways 2013 was a year of endurance for me. Of really settling into and finding the confidence to be my true self. To come to terms with the parts of adulthood that fill me up and those that deplete me. And knowing when to let go of what's not working.

I feel a sense of peace in my path right now that I'm not sure I've ever felt. Sure, hardtimes will come. There is no way around that. It's easy to feel peaceful when all is right in the world. But all in all, I feel really hopeful. Really excited. Really grateful. Really young and full of life.

2014 -- let's do this!