January is one of my favorite times to slow down, especially after the holiday festivities and travel has halted.
When the tree and holiday decor has been taken down, I start to get excited for simplicity and fresh inspiration in my home. There’s a moment at the beginning of each year after the decorations have been packed away where the house feels a little bare, but I like to look at it as an opportunity to approach our home with fresh eyes.
For me, the tools for this reset begin with the senses—sounds, smells, colors and textures. I love to burn a new candle, add greenery and start looking for the places in my home where I can clear clutter, incorporate new colors and add life. I’ve opted to embrace change in simple ways this month. For example, restyling my entryway with new greenery, burning a fresh scented candle or doing a sage cleanse, and tackling a space I’ve been avoiding in our home, like the garage, workshop, and closets!
Here’s the entryway restyled. I added the potted eucalyptus, faux succulent and this tiny vase. Two seagrass baskets below finishes off the look adds additional storage for throws and pillows.
I’m obsessed with wall pockets lately. They will be everywhere in the home this year – just watch.
I love having a fireplace mantel to decorate. Here’s the family room mantel restyled. I love it so much more without all the Christmas decor. A new mirror and some touches of greenery brings out a bit of softness to an otherwise masculine feeling space. This space, by the way has been repurposed into Jonah’s game room.
The month of January wouldn’t be complete without looking back at the goals I set for myself in 2018 -I’ve listed my 2018 goals down here to if you don’t feel like clicking on the link above:
- Home & Garden: Plant and grow new flowers, trees, and install a vegetable garden, change the front door – CHECK! (minus changing the front door)
- Travel: Save for our 10 year anniversary trip (Aulani, June 2018) – CHECK!
- Invest in a new business – Our beach cabin – CHECK!
- Get my real estate license. – Did not pursue. Reevaluate…
For 2019, I have taken my time to think more about intensions for the moment and still set goals for the year. I like to combine both and think they complement each other. As TED states, ‘Goals are focused on the future. Intentions are in the present moment. Goals are a destination or specific achievement. Intentions are lived each day, independent of reaching the goal or destination.’
My intentions for 2019
- Create beautiful and functioning spaces for each member of the family for a whole happy home. This includes my ongoing process of organizing, rearranging, decorating, and repurposing spaces and items. {Side note: I’ve continued to implement the Konmari Method in my home and personal life since I read Marie Kondo’s book about 6 years ago. Her new Netflix series is a good refresher and reminder that tidying up is really all about a state of mind and how you go about making those changes and making it an ongoing process.}
- Dedicate Sundays to Self-Care. This includes all things wellness; skincare, aromatherapy, cleanses, baths and my ongoing love affair with hygge.
- For my family: potty training daily with Baron, preschool research and planning for Baron. Nurturing both kids’ interests and balancing time for Jonah’s activities.
- Live my best life and final year of my 30s!
My goals for 2019
- Plan, plot and cultivate a flower garden – Spring 2019
- Remodel the kitchen – Spring 2019
- Travel throughout Texas: San Antonio, Gulf Coast, Marfa – Summer 2019. There is so much to see and experience in this great massive state.
- Rent out the beach cabin.
- Plan my 40th birthday trip (Fall 2019)
- Build our forever home/dream home (2019-2020)
I love this time in January as opportunity to slow down, reset and embrace the clean slate of a new season. I am approaching this year with pause, purpose and intention. Happy end of January!
What are some goals or intensions you have set for yourself in the new year?