Hopes & Intentions for 2019
I’ve always loved collecting images and making moodboards, whether for projects or personal. So for 2019, I thought I’d create a moodboard capturing this year’s hopes and intentions.
1. Continue reading. When Lila was younger, the idea of making time to read for pleasure seemed like something that may never happen again. But 2018 was a turnaround year. I started to find the space to read again, and enjoyed some great books. My favorite was Call Me By Your Name, by André Aciman. I hope to keep this up in 2019. It felt great to escape into novels and I have a stack of non-fiction waiting to be read.
4. Spending time with Lila. Putting away my phone and the to-do lists, and just spending time with her, present and willing to go along with her ideas and imagination, and on her timeframe.
6. Continue meditating. I try to meditate for 10 or 15 minutes in the morning on the bus to work . It’s a nice way to make space for myself before I dive into the demands of emails, posts, chats, etc. I’ve found it feels even better when I wake up a little earlier and do it from the couch in my living room while everyone is still asleep. I’d like to make time for these mornings at home.
7. Try doing less. This one is way easier said than done, especially for someone like me who wants to check boxes and meet expectations, both mine and what I perceive from others. Work stress has taken a toll on me, and I want to try to improve this going into 2019. I’d like to try being more realistic and honest with myself about what I can accomplish (sanely) and what I actually have control over. The answer to both is probably less than I usually hold myself accountable for. And this difference is one of the things that contributes to feeling stressed. I hope to continue to question what I take on, and focus on the things that feel most important and true to me (my strengths and what I care about).
2. Downtime in Tahoe. Enjoying our house and the laidback beauty of the lake and the mountains in both winter and summer. Even a couple days there can feel like such a refreshing break.
3. Making space for conversations with Greg. Time for us to talk about the things he’s interested in, I’m interested in, how we’re doing together and on our own, beyond the daily operations of our shared life.
5. Vacation in Kauai. This trip has been a highlight the last few years, and I want to keep it going. Last year we found a great spot on the beach where I didn’t get in a car for a week, Greg walked to a favorite surf break, and Lila had a huge lawn to sprint across as soon as the door opened. It was bliss.
8. Keep up my yoga practice. Even one class on the weekend and a weekday morning with a quick self-practice goes a long way to create space for myself and help with my perspective.
9. Baby #2. We’ve been trying for a second baby since early last year, so I’m hoping that wish comes to fruition in 2019. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions and hormones, but I’m trying to stay patient and optimistic.
