My year was eventful, in the deaths of four family members. My younger sister, my mother, my uncle and my aunt. All of this made me realize that I may be the oldest family member at 67. I do look forward to 2023, where I can safely remember these family members and begin to be released from the grief. Thank you for the reminders I can use this year.
I do understand your point about external validation, however I do feel moved this morning to tell you how much enjoyment and worthy reflection I gain from reading your posts. Today was no exception…thank you!
Written while gazing out at beautiful grey trees over my cup of morning coffee
Hello, Mari, from DC! I think of you often. My word for now (because I can’t commit to the whole year only 4 days in) is AND. I’ve found such freedom in recognizing that I can hold opposing truths at the same time. I don’t have to be happy OR sad, or anxious OR excited; I can be both. AND gives me permission to experience discomfort rather than pretend it doesn’t exist or attempt beat it into submission (never successful). I do have all I need, AND I want for nothing and your words resonate with me, too.
Christina!! I think of you too! I LOVE YOUR WORD! My dear friend has a tattoo of "and" on her arm because "there's always something else." It's such an empowering little word!
I am definitely still lifting!!! Some days are better than others, but I don't know how I'd be functioning without it these days!
My new mantra is “mind your own business“. As an empath and extremely sensitive person, I find myself getting too involved in other peoples problems, trying to fix everything. In the end, I get myself into trouble. This year I’m going to concentrate on having more focus on myself and my needs instead of others. Thank you for your beautiful writing. A friend of mine just bought me my first journal. I am excited about what’s going to happen on those pages.
I love your intention. Perfect. I am going with a one word intention this year: “Seeker”, for wisdom out of the best books. What’s that phrase - “everything you are chasing is already within you” or something like that...happy new year.
What a perfect sentiment. I'm reading These Precious Days by Ann Patchett, and my favorite essay so far is the one where she adopted a friend's New Year's resolution to buy only necessities (with a livelihood-based exception for books, of course). It keeps coming to mind when I take an honest look at my life, and I actually *do* have what I need, and then some. I shall, however, steer clear of Sephora!
Mari - what a timely entry. I walked to Good For The Study in West Village yesterday, and bought myself a brand new note book in sage green. I've been keeping a journal since i was 5 ( i could barely write back then), but I have never finished a journal completely. I started my current journal in 2018, I'm finally near the end, with only about 5% of the pages still left blank. However, after i got home, i decided to finish the remainder of 5% of blank pages first, before diving into the beautiful sage green one. I wanted to continue my thoughts, instead of jumping onto a brand new one. Perhaps staying on my current notebook is a beautiful ode to the type of growth i'm seeking in 2023.
I'm so jealous you were at Goods for the Study :) And very excited for you to crack open that sage beauty! (what a soothing color) I like this idea of continuing your thoughts. So lovely.
Thank you Mari for your gentle and poignant words, reassuring me I’ll just fine without the $80 serum! Contentment is the daily cup of coffee I hope to return to throughout cattywampus looking 2023❣️sending blessings from GA!
SAVOR. It is easy for me to get in checklist mode and to feel like everything is some thing to get done rather than some thing to slow down and enjoy. This next year I really want to savor time with people, meals, nature, what it feels like to move, our home, how sweet it is to be in a place and time where my family is healthy and well. I’m looking forward to savoring more in 2023.
LOVE a notebook. Yesterday I found a brand new one that I'd completely forgotten about *just* as I was about to walk out the door and pick up a new one at Muji. Seems like it's time to Marie Kondo again.
I like the phrase “I have everything I need.” It is empowering I think. I also like “Be good to yourself.” Perhaps a bit “me” centered but self care is deeply underrated.
I've been re-assessing the concept of "self-centeredness" as something primal and human, and therefore finding more beauty in it. If more of us were good to ourselves, I think we'd have a much kinder world!
Loved your writing as always. It was nice to know your thoughts on contentment. I hope to have the same for 2023.
I do have a word for 2023 - JOY.
I love to have new planner every year. I use most (if not all) pages every year. So it’s ok for me to have a new planner. Journal… most probably a new one every year but not necessary. This year I do have few new journals - mostly creative or art journals as I almost finished the 2022 one.
My year was eventful, in the deaths of four family members. My younger sister, my mother, my uncle and my aunt. All of this made me realize that I may be the oldest family member at 67. I do look forward to 2023, where I can safely remember these family members and begin to be released from the grief. Thank you for the reminders I can use this year.
I do understand your point about external validation, however I do feel moved this morning to tell you how much enjoyment and worthy reflection I gain from reading your posts. Today was no exception…thank you!
Written while gazing out at beautiful grey trees over my cup of morning coffee
😊
Well that means a LOT! Thank you! :) As does the image of beautiful grey trees over coffee, wow wow wow. My heart is warmed!
Hello, Mari, from DC! I think of you often. My word for now (because I can’t commit to the whole year only 4 days in) is AND. I’ve found such freedom in recognizing that I can hold opposing truths at the same time. I don’t have to be happy OR sad, or anxious OR excited; I can be both. AND gives me permission to experience discomfort rather than pretend it doesn’t exist or attempt beat it into submission (never successful). I do have all I need, AND I want for nothing and your words resonate with me, too.
Are you still lifting?? Movement is medicine!
Christina!! I think of you too! I LOVE YOUR WORD! My dear friend has a tattoo of "and" on her arm because "there's always something else." It's such an empowering little word!
I am definitely still lifting!!! Some days are better than others, but I don't know how I'd be functioning without it these days!
My new mantra is “mind your own business“. As an empath and extremely sensitive person, I find myself getting too involved in other peoples problems, trying to fix everything. In the end, I get myself into trouble. This year I’m going to concentrate on having more focus on myself and my needs instead of others. Thank you for your beautiful writing. A friend of mine just bought me my first journal. I am excited about what’s going to happen on those pages.
Oh Amy, I feel you!! One of my mantras lately is "Mari worries about Mari," i.e. "mind your own business ;)"
I love that!!! I’m glad I’m not the only person who always tries to solve other peoples problems.
I love your intention. Perfect. I am going with a one word intention this year: “Seeker”, for wisdom out of the best books. What’s that phrase - “everything you are chasing is already within you” or something like that...happy new year.
If I'm ever asked to define myself in any way (politically, spiritually, career-ly), I always answer "Seeker." Such a big full word!
I love that.
I love the finding of something old/new in your closet! I think my collection of stuff holds many such treasures!
My word for the year is Audacity. And I love new journals but usually finish the current one until I buy a new one.
May this year treat our hearts gently. Sending love to everyone! 💗
What a perfect sentiment. I'm reading These Precious Days by Ann Patchett, and my favorite essay so far is the one where she adopted a friend's New Year's resolution to buy only necessities (with a livelihood-based exception for books, of course). It keeps coming to mind when I take an honest look at my life, and I actually *do* have what I need, and then some. I shall, however, steer clear of Sephora!
I love that one too! Genuinely so inspiring!
Mari - what a timely entry. I walked to Good For The Study in West Village yesterday, and bought myself a brand new note book in sage green. I've been keeping a journal since i was 5 ( i could barely write back then), but I have never finished a journal completely. I started my current journal in 2018, I'm finally near the end, with only about 5% of the pages still left blank. However, after i got home, i decided to finish the remainder of 5% of blank pages first, before diving into the beautiful sage green one. I wanted to continue my thoughts, instead of jumping onto a brand new one. Perhaps staying on my current notebook is a beautiful ode to the type of growth i'm seeking in 2023.
I'm so jealous you were at Goods for the Study :) And very excited for you to crack open that sage beauty! (what a soothing color) I like this idea of continuing your thoughts. So lovely.
Thank you Mari for your gentle and poignant words, reassuring me I’ll just fine without the $80 serum! Contentment is the daily cup of coffee I hope to return to throughout cattywampus looking 2023❣️sending blessings from GA!
As someone who has bought the $80 serum, YOU'LL BE FINE!
SAVOR. It is easy for me to get in checklist mode and to feel like everything is some thing to get done rather than some thing to slow down and enjoy. This next year I really want to savor time with people, meals, nature, what it feels like to move, our home, how sweet it is to be in a place and time where my family is healthy and well. I’m looking forward to savoring more in 2023.
LOVE a notebook. Yesterday I found a brand new one that I'd completely forgotten about *just* as I was about to walk out the door and pick up a new one at Muji. Seems like it's time to Marie Kondo again.
Love this! I too went through my half filled journals a few days ago and decided to continue in them instead of starting a new one :)
The theme took me back to the idea of depth year by David Cain - https://www.raptitude.com/2017/12/go-deeper-not-wider/
And my word for the year is EXPERIMENT! 🪄
Outrageously content. I just love this way of thinking. Thank you!
I like the phrase “I have everything I need.” It is empowering I think. I also like “Be good to yourself.” Perhaps a bit “me” centered but self care is deeply underrated.
I've been re-assessing the concept of "self-centeredness" as something primal and human, and therefore finding more beauty in it. If more of us were good to ourselves, I think we'd have a much kinder world!
Fellow notebook person♥️♥️
Loved your writing as always. It was nice to know your thoughts on contentment. I hope to have the same for 2023.
I do have a word for 2023 - JOY.
I love to have new planner every year. I use most (if not all) pages every year. So it’s ok for me to have a new planner. Journal… most probably a new one every year but not necessary. This year I do have few new journals - mostly creative or art journals as I almost finished the 2022 one.