Joyful New Yr

Joyful New Yr!

I hope your new 12 months has gone effectively to date and that 2024 might be higher than you’ll be able to even envision proper now. My holidays and New Yr had been very quiet and peaceable on the surface, which implies the noise in my head has been deafeningly loud. The brand new 12 months brings up so many issues: the reflection of the earlier 12 months, the stress of defining what you need in 2024, and weight reduction messaging all over the place (heightened considerably this 12 months by injections.) I discovered myself making an attempt to numb the noise in my head by adorning all of the Christmas bushes and consuming lots of media – social media, podcasts, books, TV, motion pictures… which (no shock) had been solely short-term escapes. Since I did not do a full Christmas decor roundup like up to now, I’m going to share some photographs right here earlier than entering into an extended replace.

You may view a video of the vacation home tour on Instagram or TikTok.

Happy New Year 2 — I liked this bejewled Christmas tree. It was one thing I began final Christmas however I used to be capable of higher obtain my imaginative and prescient this 12 months with further ribbon and outsized gem ornaments

Happy New Year 4 — This Chinoiserie tree did not change from prior years, however I nonetheless find it irresistible simply as a lot

Happy New Year 7 — The magnolia tree is the one which began my tree-mania in my home. It’s a tribute to my mother, who I affiliate with magnolias and who liked Christmas decorations. She died 16 years in the past and my reminiscences are fading however they hit in a great way once I get to brighten my home with a lot glitter.

Happy New Year 9 — The animal print tree had a number of new ornaments this 12 months however in any other case remained the identical. It is my husband’s favourite, although reality be instructed he does not actually care by hook or by crook if we’ve any!

Happy New Year 10 — Generally when individuals see my closely embellished/themed bushes they are saying they may by no means do this as a result of their ornaments are heirlooms and so particular. I agree and have my very own set of these – they’ve their very own tree. That is by far the tree I treasure essentially the most – the ornaments have tales behind them and I get to recall the reminiscences and folks tied to them.

There have been extra bushes, however I feel you get the gist!

Now to handle the silence: I do not share this as a result of I feel individuals are ready with bated breath for me to place up a brand new weblog put up, however as a result of I must get this out for myself. I began this weblog virtually 15 years in the past. Nobody knew what a weblog was, Instagram did not exist, and I used to be just a few random 20-something in Kentucky who needed to share some issues on the web in hopes that I would not really feel so alone. I did not filter what I shared. There have been posts about getting zebra-like stripes in a sprig tan sales space, the truth that I used to be a fats woman with a little bit automotive, and different random quips and observations. There was additionally a serious weight reduction focus, one thing I let go of a few years in the past as I divested from weight loss plan tradition. I have been lucky to have so many individuals proceed to care about what I’ve to say for thus lengthy whilst I’ve developed as an individual.

With the surge of social media, divided consideration, and content material creation/”influencing” now an enormous trade, there’s stress to do extra, produce larger high quality pictures or video, battle for eyeballs, “curate” a feed, achieve followers, go viral… and all of it made me doubt myself and what I used to be doing. Each time I felt myself falling into the “my content material is not adequate” thought jail, I needed to remind myself of spray tan Zebra stripes and “fats woman in a little bit automotive.” Again then, I used to be being myself regardless of who paid consideration. My need wasn’t ever to be a “creator,” have essentially the most followers, or be essentially the most in-demand with manufacturers.

On the opposite aspect of the stress to face out among the many on-line noise is the worry of standing out an excessive amount of. Individuals on the web will be so merciless – there is a effective line between reaching individuals who may discover one thing useful about your message and reaching individuals who wish to rip you to shreds. The fats hate is so sturdy and know-how makes it really easy for individuals to spout off some hateful remark with out regard for who’s on the opposite finish of the display. It is actually gross, and avoidance is one method to skip all that.

Peloton teacher Christine D’Ercole usually repeats this quote in her courses: “Essentially the most highly effective factor anybody can say to us is what we are saying to ourselves.” The issues I stated to myself in 2023 had been a lot harsher than anybody on the surface may say to me. If a pal stated these items out loud about herself, I could not let it stand.

So in 2024, I am not letting it stand. What mattered 15 years in the past is identical factor that issues right this moment – that I really feel comfy exhibiting up totally, authentically, and imperfectly. In doing so, perhaps I could make you concentrate on one thing differently, introduce you to a brand new perspective, or make you are feeling seen and fewer alone. Selfishly, I additionally hope that I really feel extra seen and fewer alone. If nothing else, persevering with to share signifies that I’ve stayed true to myself and did not self-silence out of worry that somebody may not like what I’ve to say.

Thanks for being right here. ❤️