Hope your 2024 has started off happy and healthy! Over here at Chez Burbank we are doing well! Last year for us was a bit of a roller coaster ride…highs, lows, a few screams, nausea, tears, Kentucky, cats, a new roof, laughter, love and the relief of finally making it through the twists and turns. Yes, indeed, 2023 was action packed! But here we are with a New Year and new hope for the future.
I recently read that in ancient Roman times the new year began in March. There was no January and spring was the logical time to begin anew. That makes perfect sense to me. Our bodies are meant to hibernate in winter…slow down and reflect on the deeper meaning of our lives. Kind of like bears. This is supposed to be our snowy cave time. We should be able to eat a lot, hide under an ultra thick Pottery Barn blanket and Netflix to our hearts content — not hit the gym running on a freezing cold Monday morning!
In our often hectic world, however, there is no dark cave of slumber time for us. We are traditionally supposed to begin the year with bold resolutions, big bangs, bad hangovers, balls dropping off of buildings and barely staying up past our bedtimes. This year I had a holiday miracle and actually stayed awake to greet midnight. I wasn’t at a party, either. Just home blissfully relaxing with my husband watching Homicide Hunter and drinking decaf.
As per my annual tradition, I made a vision board to visually articulate my goals and dreams for this new year. I cut out pictures from magazines I’ve accumulated throughout the year. Honestly, I realized as I started my board that I really don’t want to achieve life changing goals so much as I want to experience vibes. As the antithesis of last year, I want to feel serene and centered. To illustrate this, I have selected my Word of the Year: CALM. Sigh. Breathe. Zen.
My vision board has pictures of the many things I love — nature, books, typewriters (old school), animals, pumpkins, French cafes and lots of frou frou flowers. I handwrote the initials of my loved ones because their pictures are not in magazines. In the center of my board is a cozy fireplace with comfy chairs to read and unwind…the epitome of calm for me. On the other hand, a physically fit woman holding a barbell also takes up a spot because I have to exercise or else I become a lazy lump. (As I mentioned in a previous blog, I reluctantly joined the gym last year and have really enjoyed going.)
I also drew my own Star of David on my vision board because my Judaism is important to me no matter what year it is! Let’s be real: last year was devastatingly tough for Jews in Israel as well as around the world. But we have united beyond my wildest imagination.
I also have included some images that have no meaning other than I like them: a reindeer, for instance. My husband asked me why I have a reindeer on my board and I said, “He looks magical.” The same goes for a horse. I don’t own a horse or even want to ride one. His majestic horse face just touched my heart. So a vision board can be whimsical and whatever you want to make it…there are no rules. Having a vision for the year, a broad goal, however, can’t hurt. Though it’s important to be flexible and go with the flow, I’ve never gone long distances without some sort of plan in hand. An epic road trip requires a map.
If you’re not the cut and paste type, then perhaps write out a list of two or three things you’d like to aim for this year. Pin or tape it somewhere where you can see it regularly as a gentle reminder. It doesn’t need to be fancy or super ambitious. I’m done with the “I want to lose 20 pounds or else” goals of my self-loathing, perfectionist past. I’m hoping to make some healthier choices and work out a little bit more. I know how my brain is a devilish entity when it comes to weight loss. So I have to humor “it” (my defiant brain) and try to make progress in small, manageable increments.
Most of all, the theme of this year’s vision board is comfort and presence. Enjoying the small moments. Looking forward to the big moments, too. Sitting by the fire with a good book, a cup of coffee, a cat on my lap and the company of those I love. Calmly watching season nine of Homicide Hunter, too.
Happy New Year from me and my magical reindeer! May all your dreams come true!
Cheryl Thatt-Burbank 