There’s nothing like a new year, a new month, and a new week. All offer the promise, the hope, and opportunity to start fresh. What’s not to like about that?
New beginnings are my favorite kind. Cracking open a new planner, a new book, and a new journal are just a few of my favorite things.
Something New
Rather than find myself battered and bruised at the end of 2019; I’ve decided to take a different approach. Instead of spending the year chasing expectations for myself and others, I am going to try a slower, more deliberate pace.
Rest and surrender are the name of the game.
Slowly but surely, I’ve come to realize that I am not in control. This is a hard but necessary truth for a control freak like myself. However, what I’ve not mastered is how this truth should impact my posture to the world and people around me. I like to convince myself that if I hustle, as well as work hard and long enough, I might just get a leg up on what’s coming my way. But if I’m being honest with myself and you all, that’s just one more way I try to control and manipulate the outcome of a game that wasn’t of my making.
The words spoken to Job might as well be directed at me.
Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?
Job 36|2
There’s only one person who knows just how my life as well as this world plays out and “new flash,” – it’s not me.
And so, instead of chasing that which will find me soon enough, I am going to try and take a more restful and surrendered approach to the new year.
4 Ways I am Seeking More Rest in 2019
Reading
I love to read and didn’t do as much of it as I wished I had in 2018. Not only do I want to read more, but I also want to pull fiction reading back into my days. I’ve always been able to get lost in a good story with strong characters; this year my hope is to explore authors new and old to me. I want to read more memoirs and historical fiction, a good crime novel and some good southern fiction. If you want to find out more about what I’m reading, what’s on my “wish list” or even recommend a few good books, you can find me on Goodreads. Right now I am about 50% of the way through The Magnolia Story by Chip Gaines and at the beginning of Rethinking Sexuality by Juli Slattery.
This year I’ve also purchased a Seasons of Soap journal by Horacio Printing; this method of Bible study is helping me to spend more focused time in God’s Word while also incorporating prayer and journaling.
Relaxing
At the top of my “to do” list today is a call to the dentist to get an appointment and fit for a new bite guard. Lately I’ve found myself clenching my teeth while I sleep and also during the day. Not only does this habit result in horrible headaches and a sore jaw – but this Saturday while on a run I realized I’d lost a piece of a filling. The ridiculous part in all this is that I have excellent dental insurance, but absolutely dread going to the dentist. Really, of all the doctor appointments I might have, a dental appointment is the worst. I’d rather have a mammogram . . . in fact, those don’t bother me at all. (Of course, the laughing gas does make things all better and is almost a necessity for me.)
One of the way’s I’m planning to relax is by adding a few massages into my schedule. I’ve only had one or two over the last three years, but I really do enjoy them and find that they’re good for working out the stress and tension I carry in my shoulders. I’ve never had a facial before and that’s also on my list for 2019. My birthday is coming up and I plan to ask for a gift card to a local spa and my plan for Mother’s Day might be the same. There are also some home treatments I am going to try as well – the most obvious one is soaking in the barely used garden tub in our master bathroom. All I need is a handful of epsom salts, a good book and my husband to run interference with the kids and the dog. I already evicted the Barbies, boats, and giant poop emojis from my tub a couple of months ago.
Running
I am already running my way into the new year as I continue to train for the Disney World Princess Half Marathon Race at the end of February. While running might seem more like a punishment to some of you, it has been a life saver and stress buster for me. Often times, after completing a race, I tend to slack off on my running. This year my plan, without registering for another race, is to continue running throughout the year, long after the race. Running helps to clear my mind as well as maintain my health and a healthy weight.
Sleeping
I spent most of 2018 averaging 5 hours of sleep a night. At 42 years of age, 5 hours is simply not enough. This year, I am exploring how to increase and improve my sleep. First things first, a trip to the dentist and a new bite guard. Second, a more timely bedtime at least 4 days out of the week. I am also exploring: room darkening shades, a better pillow, and maybe even a larger bed (hint, hint Rob). Please, I’d love to hear your secrets and tips for better sleep!
Let me know what you think of my plans for 2019. And, how are you entering the new year?
I hope to seek more rest too. We get so busy and consumed with expectations that we forget God’s promise of rest. Thanks for sharing on the #LMMLinkup.