three things: delayed new year

Don’t you worry, I’m still here. Just a little bit of a delayed start in the New Year. I have a couple of excuses involving Hercules and well, I’ve been sick. So that stinks. And I haven’t bounded into 2014 as I had hoped. It’s more like crawling and stopping to rest every 20 to 25 minutes.

And being sick has left me feeling a little blue. Because I’ve been playing fast and loose with my diet and that’s what got me into this sick mess. Because I’ve been reading too much and watching too many movies and old reruns of thirtysomething and I’ve been all wrapped up in other people’s stories. Because my sleep is restless and interrupted by dreams of natural disasters like floods and unnatural disasters like car accidents and broken hearts. Because I haven’t been to yoga in weeks. Because I haven’t left the house in days.

But I’m not one to wallow for too long. So today, I’ve decided to put away the iPad and the books and pull out the old pad and pencil. There’s nothing like a good list to make me feel like I’m making progress even if it’s just inching along.

Here are three lists that I’m working on from my sickbed:

1) What I did in 2013. It’s so easy to brush off the past year and focus on all the things you want to do in the upcoming year. So I’m taking a moment to really relish 2013. I learned to ski. I started a blog. I moved to a different city.  I’m hoping this will give me a little boost and help me shake the What the hell are you doing with your life? questions when they rear their ugly heads. Because they always do. Especially when the calendar turns to a new year and you’ve been sick in bed for five days. What the hell am I doing with my life? Well, I’m glad you asked because just last summer I kayaked with the most magical mother and baby manatees swimming right beside me. How many people can say that?

2) What I’m leaving in 2013. At first I thought this might be a nice, nonchalant way of dealing with resolutions. Oh hey you, you bad little habit you, I’m just going to leave you back in 2013. I won’t be needing you anymore. Okay? Great. It’s been fun. But once I started working on this list I realized it was much more about releasing old tensions, old hang ups, old grudges. Old stuff. Letting go and really leaving it behind. Sorry. I just can’t take you with me anymore. So in 2013 you will stay.

3) What I’m eating in 2014. Well, that’s just a fancy name for menu planning. And even though I’m only planning for a few days (did you really think I would plan for a whole year?), getting a handle on the grocery situation always makes the world seem like a better place. I’m a big fan of meal planning. I think that it saves time and money and helps me try new things. So at the beginning of every week, I sketch out what we’re eating for family dinners for the week and shop accordingly. By the way, did you see my Food Favorites from 2013? It’s our annual family recipe collection so make sure you check it out.

Just making a list of my lists has already improved my mental state considerably. Happy to be back writing and sharing with you. But now I have to go lie down. Hope you’re having a stronger start to 2014 than I am…