Good morning, my friends. So I don’t have a pretty post or anything that exciting to share. Truth be told, this week is always a bit slow for me. My family and I go into total shut down mode over the two week Christmas vacation. We relax, spend quality time together and unplug for the most part. And it’s most definitely our favorite two weeks out of the year. But boy is Monday a rough one. Everyone got out of the door on time and with teeth brushed and weather appropriate clothes, but I can’t promise the children will be very productive today. Both were so tired even after a full night of sleep. And let’s be honest. Making their lunches was a bit of a stretch as this mama has yet to stock up from the grocery store. That will be today. Maybe. One thing is for sure. I will need extra coffee.
There will be some who greet today with a pep in their step and tackle everything with a renewed sense of energy. If you are more like me, requiring extra coffee and moving quite slowly, you are not alone. And it’s ok not to jump into January with the cliched go get em’ attitude. It will come. It always does. Listen, if I manage to get to the grocery store in the rain and make my bed before it’s time to do carpool, I will count it a total success. And to those of you back in the office today, I am wishing you a productive and smooth day back.
I am a bit behind the rest of the blogging world with sharing projects from 2015 but I do intend to do that in keeping with my sentiments on looking back at what we did actually accomplish. We teach our children to look back and acknowledge what they are proud of and I think it’s a crucial lesson. More and more our society is looking to what is ahead. What more can we do, be, have, get, earn. But there is much to be said for stopping and reflecting on what we already have done, earned, saved, experienced and learned. And I hope they always realize that. And in looking back over the last couple of weeks I am so grateful for the quality time spent as a family doing so little. . . .and it doing so little, we gained so very much.
Lifting my coffee mug to you and cheers to those of us who are getting a bit of a slow start. Not such a bad thing. Enjoy the day and be kind to yourself.
What a perfect post, I share your sentiments! After getting three kiddos out the door today to two different schools, I hit the gym. But the rest of today is going to be s-l-o-w… Happy new year!
Had to tell you that after reading your comment, I was inspired to sneak in a short workout. Operative word being short but you got me to do it nonetheless. Thank you for inspiring me. Hope you’re week is going as smooth as possible. Cheers to the extra coffee, Kristina.
I’m easing into the day as well with extra coffee. Love this post. Enjoy your day!
Hi Stephanie,
I hope your day yesterday was wonderful. If nothing else I hope you had a nice slow paced day! Still in that mode over here today. And I think I am ok with it. Happy New Year, Stephanie.
love the lesson of reflection – one that i’ve been struggling with lately and need to embrace (and teach my kids!)
Hi Nicole,
Thank you. Thank you for taking the time to comment. I think we all struggle with that in this fast paced world we live in. I think reflecting back. . . on both the good, the bad, the joyous and the painful makes us far more content. Wishing you and your family a wonderful year ahead. xo
Wow! Felt like I was the only one in the world feeling this way. Love this message, don’t feel guilty or bad about yourself for not jumping into the new year head first. Some prefer small steps!
Hi Melissa,
I felt like I was the only one feeling that way and felt pretty nervous pushing post on the blog. But seems like we are not alone at all. And I am still slow playing this January thing. All in good time, right?! Happy New Year, Melissa!
What a refreshing post–thanks! I too am slowly moving today and not feeling the energy yet of a new year! Thanks for the honesty… I am extending a little grace to myself and wish you the same!
Was thinking about you yesterday after I read this. I hope your day was calm and relaxed. It’s now pouring here so the hibernation continues. Wishing you all wonderful things fro 2016. xo
I 100% relate to your post today….I took a solid two weeks off from coaching clients, answering business related emails and just savored, enjoyed and relished the two weeks of less structure, more down time and more quality time with my family…I was beating myself up last night about my never-ending personal and professional to do lists…..and then I forced myself to just handle only what was reasonable today….enjoy that extra coffee 🙂
Oh I love that you were able to do that, Cynthia. And even more impressive that you simmered down on your Monday to-do list. It all eventually gets done but this life is too short to not savor that down time. Enjoy easing back into the week. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Happy New Year!
I could so relate to your post. The Christmas/New Year’s break is always a VERY low key vacation for our family (which I love). But, it’s always the hardest one for me to give up. My husband and daughters are usually ready to head back into “real life” after the prolonged period of down time. But, my son and I go back to school and work kicking and screaming. By the end of the week, we’ll all be back into the swing of things!
Yes! Yes! Yes! Feel the exact same way. We honestly look forward to it all year long and hang out to every last second. But you are so right . . it just takes a few days but the routine does start to feel good again. And then we look forward to next December, right?! Ha. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Thank you for today’s post! I crawled into bed late last night with my iPad to catch up on some of the blogs I follow. I fell asleep feeling so “behind” as I read post after post about how seemingly everyone’s holiday stuff was down and packed away. Not a good feeling- especially since I had been so content with squeezing in the last bit of family time before the kids went back to school and then ended up feeling guilty about it since our tree is still up! Thank you for your “thoughtful” post and for reminding me to be kind to myself. It will all get done eventually!
Hi Chris,
Thank you for the kind comment. I know exactly how you felt. And good for you for enjoying all of that family time. We all end up getting it done eventually, right?! I always tell my son to not rush his school work . .. no prize for being done first. Maybe we need to think of that more with the to-do lists and tasks. Hope you’re off to a smooth week and enjoying some quiet time. Happy New Year.
Yes! We do the exact same thing. Christmas break is my favorite time of the year as well…my husband slows down after an insane schedule from the fall and having both kiddos home is the best! I think I was more sad for break to be over then they were!! Cheers to 2016!
Samara,
Girl! Yes. We were far more sad than the children. I feel like it’s the only time of year that we unplug to such a great extent that we just love every second. I know exactly how you feel. Hope the transition has been smooth. Know you’re not alone! xo
You know I LOVE your blog and I think I might just love your “personal” posts most! I wanted to share my perspective boomerang (and it hits me hard when I belly ache about making my kiddos lunch)…”SELF, yes you have one more thing to do today BUT be grateful you have that extra lunch to pack, more groceries to get, and less time to do it in BECAUSE there are many who would give anything to have that problem!”
Sometimes the talks/reminders from heaven are what we need! Hope you make it a great week! Love how real you are…and thank you for showing it to us all! XOXO
Kristy
Hi Kristy,
Thank you so much. Such a beautiful perspective. My dad has always been so great at reminding me of that but have not heard it in a while. Thank you for taking the time to comment. It means so much to me. Happy New Year to you and your family. Wishing you a million reasons to celebrate in this new year.
Thanks for this post! I’m absolutely with you and trying to feel okay about not being quite so pumped about the new year yet! Big coffee cheers from NC!
Cheers, Summer! Happy to hear we are on the same page. We will hit the ground running in our own time, right! Happy New Year to you. xo
I thought there was something wrong with me yesterday when I was feeling awful. Our kids are on Summer holidays here in Australia until the end of Jan, but Hubby went back to work on Mon and the cousins have gone home and the kids are unsure about what to do and we need groceries and the washing! Now it’s pouring rain!! ???? I love your Blog and have read it for years. Thanks for sharing such personal insights. Happy 2016 to you all. ????
Oh, Suzanne. I could feel your emotion! Even more difficult that your family left and the kiddos are still home. Great to have them home, I know, but the laundry and groceries don’t magically happen, right. Thanks for taking the time to comment and for reading. Means so much. I hope that you guys get into a nice rhythm for the rest of the holiday. Wishing you and your family health and happiness for 2016.
Hi.
Love your blog. Where did you get that gorgeous bracelet. Thanks jane
I know, it’s so pretty!
Hi Jane! Thank you so so much. Happy New Year. Fairly certain that is from Francesca’s last year. Do you have one close by? Cute finds and a great price. I haven’t been in a while and you’ve reminded me.
Have a great week.
Really a great great post Courtney. My Dad and I shared a long talk yesterday very much along these lines. Hope your day was a good one and the kids had a bright first day back at school.
Thanks, Allison! I think so many of us are feeling the same way. Maybe a sign we all need to slow down and take our time. The kids did have a great first day back. Now just hoping they stay dry in the deluge we are getting. Happy New Year, sweet friend.
I am a longtime reader but infrequent commenter except for usually these type of posts…what a great reminder that I needed to hear! I am seeing so much on social media about turning the page as soon as possible, and that is a wonderful thing! But surely it isn’t a bad thing to turn the page slowly. Reflection is just as important as anticipation, although it is something we often neglect. With three under five years old I definitely couldn’t wait to get the kids to school and back into our routine after two weeks of lounging. However, I am reminded by your post how precious this time is with them being so little, no matter how exhausting!!
Thank you for commenting, Jill! And for reading. It means so much when I hear from readers. And you said it so well. It is great that some can turn that page and hit the ground running. But yes, it’s ok to take it slow as well. And even with the kiddos back in school I am sure it’s nice to just enjoy a little time where you are not needed 24/7 for at least a bit. The new year isn’t going anywhere and always beneficial to look back and savor the down time. xo
Always a tough one in January – we are still on holiday so it’s even tougher getting back into a good routine! Enjoy that coffee friend x
Oh wow. Envious you all are still on holiday. I hope you’re re-entry into the real world again goes great. Enjoy every moment of being out of the routine. It comes flooding back soon enough. Would love to visit your area of the world sometime. Have heard amazing things. xo
It is great to know that I’m not alone -ha;)we Are all in the same boat and we all need that extra cup of coffee these days! Cheers for the new year!
Morning! Yes . . still moving so slowly over here. Especially with the rain and the quiet house.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Happy New Year, friend.