Happy New Year! I love the idea of new beginnings. A blank calendar with 365 days of opportunity that stretch before me like an open road. I always make a monstrous list of goals, try to shake off any negativity from the previous year and prepare myself for longer, more productive days.
New Year’s Day is, for me, one giant Refresh Button. A chance for a do-over, to make this year better than last. To clear the slate, forgive myself for mistakes, oversights and just plain “didn’t get to’s”. In technology terms, it’s a chance to reboot my life. In all honesty, I tend to do this a few times during the year, but New Year’s makes it fun because so many others are hitting the Refresh Button, too.
I’m not sure whether it’s the shorter hours of daylight, the chilly winter temperatures, the fact that we watch leaves drop from the trees and our grass turn brown, or our preoccupation with the holidays, but by January 1st, I always feel that my daily routine has become mired. My life feels static. I fall prey to SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder—yeah, even in Florida; believe me, it bites). My creativity goes down the tubes and everything begins to feel like it takes way too much effort.
That’s why I’m always eager for New Year’s. It’s my chance to shake off all those feelings. Pull myself up by my bootstraps, strike while the iron is hot and a host of other clichés. Whether or not you’ve made any resolutions, I thought I’d offer up a list of 10 Quick Ways to Refresh Your Outlook. They’re pretty simple, little things—things we often overlook when we wallow in the winter doldrums.
- Cook a recipe you’ve never tried before.
- Splurge for a manicure and pedicure. Especially the pedicure.
- Buy one new clothing accessory. Hat, scarf, gloves, belt.
- Take a walk outside in the sunshine.
- Rearrange the furniture in one of your rooms.
- Go to a movie, a real one, in a real theater. Popcorn optional.
- Try a new hair color, cut or style. Take a risk!
- Call or mail a physical card to someone you care about but haven’t been in touch with for awhile.
- Get down on the floor and play with your child. grandchild or pet. Don’t have any of those? Check for dust bunnies. Seriously, everything looks different from your floor. Lie on your back, stare at the ceiling and pretend your world is upside down.
- Put on your favorite music and dance.
Give yourself permission to try something new—anything new! Remember, the goal is to shake off the fog that may have wrapped you in a daily routine that’s become, well, boring. 2012 is here, baby. Make it an open road.
Love the picture that you chose! I’m starting the new year with a new series! I’m working on creating a town for it, and I’m pretty excited.
My husband and I have noticed that the days are already getting longer, so hope your SAD leaves soon and is replaced by HAPPY.
Edie–thanks, I loved the photo as soon as I saw it. And huge congrats to you—starting the year with a new series is *totally* a fresh start. As for my SAD, it’s already getting better. I’m forcing myself to walk each day, AND I’m planning my own fresh start. Hope to share more on that in two weeks!
Weather totally affects my emotions, and being in Wisconsin I get SAD bad… haha. I find that keeping a regular workout schedule helps a lot.
And I agree. Trying new things is great too!
Kelley @ Between the Bookends`s last blog was …My first guest appearance!!!
Hi, Kelley–
Yes, a regular workout schedule would be a help. I need to concentrate on that! Here’s wishing you a mild winter in Wisconsin!
Looooove this post, Amy. You are so right about new beginnings with the New Year. Several years ago I made myself a tradition for the morning of January 1st. I take an extra long, hot (as hot as I can stand it) shower and visualize all the negative things that happened the year before washing down the drain. Its gone. I come out of the shower feeling refreshed, renewed and ready to tackle the coming year. I suppose you can call that hitting my renew button.
I also like your list. I’ve already made a start. As I was taking down the holiday decorations, I rearranged many items, got rid of stuff I’ve had for years and no longer wanted, and purchased several bright and fun accessories for the house. I still have a lot of things I want to do to revamp the house, but its a start.
And I’m totally with you on hitting a movie … in a real theater. We tend to get into a rut and its so much easier to just sit on the sofa and veg. Going out forces you to encounter and deal with life.
Hey Liz,
I love your New Year’s tradition. I usually clean out my files, toss paper and try to organize my life. Um, I’m a bit behind on that right now. Dare I admit that I just started humming Christmas carols last week? I’ve never been this out of synch! Like you, I’m clearing away some of the chaff already. But I still need to see a movie. I want to see the new Sherlock Holmes. How about you?
Hi Amy,
I love the title! How many times have I wished to hit the refresh button on my life! Too many time to count. LOL.
This year is already full with projects I’m working on, but I’ve already gone swimming to the pool (I’ve lived here 5 years and that’s a first) and am totally open to trying a lot more new this year. I tend to overwork (ya think!) so need to get out and try new things.
I’m so looking forward to this year.
Dale Mayer`s last blog was …Vampire in Denial – FREE for 3 days
Swimming? In January? Hope it was indoors! And yes, I know (first-hand) that you are a workaholic, so by all means take 5 minutes per day to do something fresh just for you!
Nice post, Amy! I love beginnings, new starts and do-overs too
Thanks, Maria. One of my favorite new starts is the beginning of a new novel. Here’s wishing you many of those this year!
Refresh, renew, rejuvenate. This is my kind of post, Amy. Thank you for sharing all those fab ideas with us. I’m going to try several of them this month!
Happy New Year. May it be your most successful yet!
Thanks, Misty! You know, the one idea that didn’t make the list was “eat an ice cream cone.” LOL I know, it’s a little thing, but I never seem to make time to do that anymore. Maybe take a walk while eating an ice cream cone. Hmm, I may be onto something. Wishing you a year of success, my sweet!
I like that way of thinking about the new year! I made a short list of things I would like to get done this year. Already working on them! I’m excited to mark them off. One is to take or at least seriously plan for a trip overseas. My son is 7 and he’s never been overseas. So we’ve been talking about that. We’re thinking maybe Ireland. So that would def. be different and exciting, especially with a 7 year old!
Amy, I love your list. Especially the recipe.
I love the new year, too. I try to see the year in terms of where I want to be, and as you say, forgive myself for all the things I wasn’t able to accomplish.
This year’s goal? Write more.
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I love the refresh reference, Amy. I’ve been purging clutter from my house for over a week now, and in the process refreshing each room with new arrangements and live greenery. I have to say, the house looks clean and healthy!
Happy New Year!
Karin* Tabke aka Harlow!`s last blog was …National Bestseller
Yesterday was one of those days … so this morning I will do two posts here at MM to catch up. Loved your list and the idea of “refreshing” … hit an imaginary button and get what we all crave … a do-over. Or a chance to try something new. I think I’ll try the floor thing … kids grown, grandkids too far away, no pets. I’ll do Yoga and refresh my spirit or maybe I’ll take your advice and just enjoy looking at the ceiling
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