This morning, on the final day of January, I cracked open the cover of Essentialism, which I’m reading for the third time. I can’t tell you how rare that is. Of course, I planned to read Essentialism the first week of the year, but I’m still calling it a success that I started it in the first month. I said “yes” to many things in 2023 (probably too many) and I feel the need to rebalance in 2024.
Can you relate?
Why do we say “yes” more often than we should? There are so many reasons but here are a few that come to my mind. Perhaps we don’t want to disappoint someone. Or we worry that if we don’t do it, nobody will. Maybe we think saying “yes” will bring about more opportunities, which may be true. But is it the right season for those opportunities? Lastly, it can be really hard to miss out on something we’d enjoy but shouldn’t add to our lives right now.
Three important questions I’ve learned to ask myself are:
“Is it mine to do?”
“If I say ‘yes’ to this, what will I need to say ‘no’ to in order to make room for the ‘yes’ in my schedule/time/energy?”
“Who am I saying ‘no’ to by saying ‘yes’ to this?”
Have you read Essentialism? I’d love to hear how it impacted you.
Reflections as we wrap up the first month of 2024
Name one thing you’re looking forward to this year.
Did you choose a word for 2024?
What is giving you joy today?
I’ll go first.
Name one thing you’re looking forward to in 2024.
A wedding, a graduation, and a very special anniversary. I can’t name just one!
Samuel and his beautiful fiance, Angela, are getting married in May. They are having a very small wedding with just immediate family and a few other folks. We’re looking forward to celebrating with them!
Ebenezer will graduate from high school on June 7th! We’re very excited for him.
Russ and I will celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary a few days later. We’d love to take a big trip to celebrate, but we’re going to stay closer to home and plan something extra special for next summer after Wogayu graduates.
Did you choose a word for 2024?
I like the practice of choosing a word as an anchor for a year. This year I chose a scripture instead. I’ve read it many times, but the moment I heard it last month, it hit me right in the heart and I knew I wanted it to be my focus.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Pr. 31:26I turned sixty earlier this month and I think this could be my verse for the next decade.
p.s. I have thoughts about turning sixty but will save them for another time.
What is giving you joy today?
Lemon ginger tea with three drops of lemon essential oil
An amaryllis on the corner of my desk
Listening to memoirs - my current listen is Angela’s Ashes
Wordle - my reward for completing a daily Spanish lesson in Duolingo
Seeing my granddaughter twice in one week
Walking on a trail after dropping the boys at school
Knowing what I’m cooking for dinner tonight - such a relief!
Simple routines after traveling
A cashmere sweater from Quince (My referral link if you would like to use it.)
Birkenstock clogs with wool socks
I’d love to hear from you! Will you share an answer or two to my questions in the comments? Or just say hello. You’re among friends.
A final thought to ponder:
“Remember that if you don’t prioritize your life someone else will.”
― Greg Mckeown, Essentialism
With love and hope,
Lisa
P.S. The Hope Circle is now open to new members. It is a private, online, faith-based community for adoptive/foster/kinship moms. The women in the group are truly amazing. Get more info and register here: Hope Circle
I'm looking forward to my 25th anniversary and trip to Italy, seeing two of my kids get their driver's licenses and jobs, and watching my son play his heart out in baseball and football. My word for the year is a phrase "all things new". What is bringing me joy today is my 17yo daughter snuggling next to me as I write this, looking forward to seeing my son come home from the hospital in 2 days, and my mom volunteered to take my son to school so I could sleep in because I'm sick.
Knowing what's for dinner brings me joy too! After a long season of just muddling my way to dinner I've recently had the mental capacity to make some meal plans again and it is such a joy and relief. This year "refrain" is my word. It's both a reminder to pause and consider before I choose to engage with whatever life puts in front of me. And also, a reminder to repeat often that which is true and loving, like the refrain in a song.