I started a habit tracker journal today, with my four long term habits set as Walk, Write, Read and Words of Love and Gratitude to Others. So timely, to be reminded other women turning 50 have encouraged themselves toward the same simple priorities. And also, of the hope to lead yourself there with kindness. Thanks, Kate!
Wonderful Kate. I haven't read much Woolf, only Orlando if memory serves but I enjoyed this peek inside her diaries.
Like Woolf, I no longer make resolutions with specific goals in mind. Rather, I resolve to be ever-learning and ever-growing as a person, allowing myself to be open to wherever that takes me. In my experience, the serendipity of this method is much more rewarding and often leads to unexpected destinations.
Lovely article and i especially like your sentence: "What a pity to be always chasing self-improvement, when taking joy in the quietness of life is already within reach..."
But it is also elusive to those of us with eternal racing minds and ridiculous, unnecessary guilt! It is my single resolve to have peace this year and to stop being afraid.
I hear you Francisca as a fellow overthinker who often indulges in guilt! I think the sentiment to find joy in the quietness is a lofty goal and one I continue to find elusive but also conti ue to strive for. I love your single resolve to have peace and to stop being afraid. Good luck with it!
I choose a word of the year which I apply really loosely and this year it's BRAVE. The idea is when faced with indecision, choose what feels brave, regardless of whether it might seem that way to anyone else.
Besides that, no resolutions. Lists, plans, ideas, hopes, all of which I hold with little attachment. What I wrote recently:
"January is a good time for quiet, slow, simple, gentle. January is a good time to continue letting all of the ideas marinate a little bit longer. The year ahead has plenty of time for concocting the creations and savoring them. It will all taste better marinated."
This is a beautiful and thought-provoking post. Kate. Like you, I've decided that I am going to write the best novel I can this year, a novel I have already spent almost two months contemplating and planning before actually writing a word on my laptop. I hope you manage to achieve your dream and you find the time and space to write, read, and walk amongst nature.
Oh Kate this is beautiful and really resonates with where I am at the start of this brand new year. To become the best writer I can be, to be bold enough to put my work out into the world, to notice, really notice all the joy that I already have and not to be constantly striving for something more. On a slightly different note, I find myself very moved by the contrast between this piece of Woolf’s writing and the state of mind she must have been in when she died. Of course the world had also changed dramatically by then. All the more reason to treasure life in the way she describes here, while it is possible, while we are able.
Thank you, Joanna. Yes, I wanted to re-publish this one because I remember being so humbled when I came across it. It resonates with where I'm at too. Thank you for reading and happy new year to you x
*love* this. Especially the effort to only buy good clothes!!!
YES!!! I have really been trying to do this more towards the end of 2024. Less but better 💕
I started a habit tracker journal today, with my four long term habits set as Walk, Write, Read and Words of Love and Gratitude to Others. So timely, to be reminded other women turning 50 have encouraged themselves toward the same simple priorities. And also, of the hope to lead yourself there with kindness. Thanks, Kate!
That sounds great, Abra! It sounds like we're heading in the same direction with our goals and what is important to us.
Wonderful Kate. I haven't read much Woolf, only Orlando if memory serves but I enjoyed this peek inside her diaries.
Like Woolf, I no longer make resolutions with specific goals in mind. Rather, I resolve to be ever-learning and ever-growing as a person, allowing myself to be open to wherever that takes me. In my experience, the serendipity of this method is much more rewarding and often leads to unexpected destinations.
Thanks, Matthew. I think that is a great idea. To be always wishing to learn and grow is an admirable way to live, I think.
Lovely article and i especially like your sentence: "What a pity to be always chasing self-improvement, when taking joy in the quietness of life is already within reach..."
But it is also elusive to those of us with eternal racing minds and ridiculous, unnecessary guilt! It is my single resolve to have peace this year and to stop being afraid.
I hear you Francisca as a fellow overthinker who often indulges in guilt! I think the sentiment to find joy in the quietness is a lofty goal and one I continue to find elusive but also conti ue to strive for. I love your single resolve to have peace and to stop being afraid. Good luck with it!
I choose a word of the year which I apply really loosely and this year it's BRAVE. The idea is when faced with indecision, choose what feels brave, regardless of whether it might seem that way to anyone else.
Besides that, no resolutions. Lists, plans, ideas, hopes, all of which I hold with little attachment. What I wrote recently:
"January is a good time for quiet, slow, simple, gentle. January is a good time to continue letting all of the ideas marinate a little bit longer. The year ahead has plenty of time for concocting the creations and savoring them. It will all taste better marinated."
That sounds like a great idea, Kathryn!
Great post, thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading, June :)
"I realise that I am becoming far more aware of the things that bring me fulfilment."
Doesn't the resolution to "Seek Fulfillment" sound so energizing and promising?!
Thanks for a great essay Kate! Cheers! 🎉
Thanks, Baird! Happy new year to you 🥳
This is a beautiful and thought-provoking post. Kate. Like you, I've decided that I am going to write the best novel I can this year, a novel I have already spent almost two months contemplating and planning before actually writing a word on my laptop. I hope you manage to achieve your dream and you find the time and space to write, read, and walk amongst nature.
Thank you, Hemmie! I think working on a novel for the year is a lovely thing to do 😀
Oh Kate this is beautiful and really resonates with where I am at the start of this brand new year. To become the best writer I can be, to be bold enough to put my work out into the world, to notice, really notice all the joy that I already have and not to be constantly striving for something more. On a slightly different note, I find myself very moved by the contrast between this piece of Woolf’s writing and the state of mind she must have been in when she died. Of course the world had also changed dramatically by then. All the more reason to treasure life in the way she describes here, while it is possible, while we are able.
Thank you, Joanna. Yes, I wanted to re-publish this one because I remember being so humbled when I came across it. It resonates with where I'm at too. Thank you for reading and happy new year to you x
Learning to be happier with less, seems an excellent resolution to me!
Absolutely!