This...is 2020
Post holiday depression is real.
I love the holiday season. Pretty much from September 1st thru January 1st. Like that’s a big revelation to anyone reading this, right? Holidays help me get through the colder weather (which I loathe).
But man. January comes and suddenly I have to put away all the pretty fun, sparkly, HOLIDAY and my home seems so sparse and boring.
And as a by-product of that, my organization switch goes up to 11. Which is challenging because I’m already hyper-organized. And I’ve been really careful about not accumulating much in the short time I’ve been here because there's no where to put it. So there really isn’t anything for me to organize.
But...my office space has never felt quite right. Not since I moved in. For starters, it’s a multi-functional space serving as both an office and guest room. I spend 8 hours a day in there. I should love it. But I don’t want to spend any money.
I mean...I *want* to spend money. I always want to spend money. I'm just trying not to.
So I’m going to re-arrange the room. Or at least I’ll try. I’m not sure if there is a better way to arrange it but who knows? I think I’m going to do that tomorrow if work isn’t busy.
Another thing I hate about the end of the holiday season? No more Christmas music. It’s so quiet.
Yes I am well aware there are other types of music to listen to but I can't just go from Christmas back to my usual ear candy. I need a palate cleanser.
Also, since I don’t have Spike to talk to, instead of being a crazy cat lady, I am turning into a crazy plant lady.
Yep. I’m talking to my plants.
I've never really had a green thumb, so it was sort of a point of pride for me when my plants would last all season. Or even better, survive from one to the other. But most of my plants were in the flower boxes or way to heavy to move so the only one that came with me is Herman...my Hibiscus. Herman has survived 2 Texas summers so far and while I wouldn't say he is thriving, he does have pretty new green leaves. I thought I was going to lose him and all my others after the cold snap we had while I was on my Eurotrip. A few others have survived. My ivies are doing great.
But the one I am most proud of is my succulent. I have no idea what it is but she had pretty little clusters of yellow flowers all over when I got her. And then around August (I think?) I over watered her. By the time I realized what I had done, it was nearly too late. I cut her back to almost nothing but a stem sticking out of the dirt.
And now look at her!
She’s full and happy and even has her first little flower popping open.
I sort of feel like this plant is a metaphor for my year. I got cut down to almost nothing and here I am, back in full force and thriving.
I didn’t make any resolutions this year. Not that I committed to writing down. Yet. But there are a few things I want to do, so I’m going to take a moment and put them in writing here.
In no particular order...
Be kinder. Not just to others, but to myself. I know we are all our own worst critic. But I have to stop saying things to myself that I wouldn’t want someone to say to me. Or that I wouldn’t say to someone else.
Be charitable. This is something I’ve always wanted to do but have never really embraced. As much as I have lamented all I lost this last year, I still really have so much. And I am so grateful for everything - and everyone - in my life. I used to think about doing things but never really did them (except the occasional donations). So now I will. And I’m starting with Operation Kindness...if I can just prevent myself from crying every time I walk through those doors.
Explore new hobbies. One of my gifts from Chase was a set of Russian decorating tips. I definitely need to practice using those. Anyone want a flower cake? I can’t promise it will be pretty but I definitely can’t eat them all myself! What else should I learn this year? I need hobbies that don’t involve food.
I want to celebrate more. Life is a gift, even if it isn’t going the way you expect it to. I want to re-instate monthly dinner parties. I hope you will come.
Of course, there’s the usual: be healthier, travel more, save money...I guess, maybe I can say continue to travel? They might not be the large scale trips of the last few years but I have a few tricks up my sleeve.
So how about you? Are you feeling the post-holiday blues? Any resolutions you want to share? I’d love to hear all about it. Let’s talk.
#stilllucky #justdifferent #definitelybetter #postholidaydepression #newyear #2020