2017 Done and Dusted

Photo by Michał Grosicki on Unsplash

This year has been a bit of a struggle. I went into 2017 with a bang and had some amazing trips, spent time with friends and found more fulfillment within my job. There were also some lows and struggles. Focusing on my theme, passion which I had set for myself last December, was one of my constant challenges and I was hard on myself about it. 

I continue to build and be mindful of previous year's themes; 2015 was explore (I'm heading into 2018 with a flight already booked!), 2016 was joy (I kept this little list close to me to keep finding my joy), 2017 was passion (did some exciting things with my passion of writing and this little passion project of mine). 

2018 I think is a year that I'm going to slow down, take stock, and make some big decisions. I hope this time next year I won't be in the same place I am now. I hope I'm happier, more balanced, and heading in a healthy direction. This is what I want to work on this year and that's why I think I have to focus on myself and self-care as this year's theme.

Do you set intentions, make resolutions, create a theme or just ignore all that all together and just get on with the year?

Along with setting my theme for the year I like to recap the past 365 days with a look through my instagram and pull out some of my favourite moments from each month. 

January: Starting the year with some slow weekends. As the year went on, I got fewer and fewer of these. I look forward to starting this again in the new year.
February: Forever my favourite valentine!
March: Winterstations at The Beaches. It was sooooo cold, but I do love outdoor art.
April: Took a trip to the UK and Ireland. This photo is from the highly instagrammable restaurant (and loo), Sketch.

May: Jazzy fish! Went to Ripley's Aquarium for some music and underwater creatures. I didn't think I'd like it as much as I did.
June: Mac and Cheese Fest! Long lines and over priced food. Might not go again next year.

July: Got my art on this month and made a little bee in scratch board.
August: Attended the Toronto Cider Fest (and hosted a Giveaway).This I will for sure be attending next year.
September: Also a highlight of my year was going to Newfoundland. It was a great trip that included visiting St. John's, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and a friend's wedding in London, Ont.

November: Spent some time at the AGO. It's a gorg building.
October: Oktoberfest. It's now a tradition.
December: Decorated this sweet little tabletop tree.  

Happy New Year!

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Finding My Joy

At the beginning of 2016, I picked my word for the year. It was 'Joy'; finding it, creating it, maintaining it, and spreading it. 2015 had been a pretty crummy year and I needed this year not to follow in the same direction. I know that has a lot to do with me and my mindset, but there are also a few things I can do to help the joy come a little easier. I still struggle from time to time, but we are half way through the year and more times than not, I've been finding that joy.

Visual reminder

on my phone I have a wallpaper that reminds me about my 2016 word. I change it each month so that it's always fresh and remains a reminder.

Do Something I love each day

I've made a visual list of some of the things that I enjoy doing most and I try to do at least one of those things each day for minimum 20 minutes.

Let go

Let go of all the negative feelings. I read once about releasing feelings of anger and anxiety within 30 seconds of it occurring. That way when you thing back to that moment of intense negative feeling you won't actually get worked up all over again. I have tried to incorporate this into my life and it has made me genuinely feel happier. (full disclosure* I do on occasion allow myself to stew in the negative emotions as well. It's all about balance, I think.)

Be proactive

Don't just talk about it, do it. Summer in Canada is oh so very short. Putting off visiting that pop up market or going to Shakespeare in the park will probably mean you will be waiting until next time to do the things you want to do.

Have reminders of things that bring you joy

As my computer screensaver I have a slide show of my last trip to England. Print pictures of a favourite event, keep collections in view to remind you of things that bring you joy.

De-clutter

I don't just mean physically clean up and get rid of unwanted/unnecessary things. More than that, de-clutter your email. Unsubscribe to those pesky emails. You know the ones I mean. Those email newsletters that come in almost daily that you keep intending to read, but never actually do and when the next one comes in you delete the first one, just to start the cycle all over again. Stop. No one will have to know, all you have to do is open up that email and hit 'unsubscribe'. You will feel so much better about it after. Trust me.

Fresh Air

Walk the dog, have lunch al fresco, bring the laptop outside to work, hell Pokemon Go! Just get out into nature at least once a day. Take a moment to take in mother nature, in all her natural glory. Your psyche will thank you for it.

How do you find your joy?

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New Year's Intentions

This year I've decided to make New Year's intentions instead of resolutions. 
I'm not one who likes to set myself up to fail, which inevitably happens with resolutions, am I right? You are fully serious when you tell yourself that you are going to exercise 4 times a week and only eat healthy things, and read all the books and watch less tv, but as time goes by that little voice pops up and cajoles you into a comfort zone that doesn't involve actually sticking to your resolutions. 
So this year my intentions are;

Breath more,

Worry less,

Travel more,

Live in moment,

Act more.