Happy #thinkingoutloud Thursday! No idea what I’m going on about? Click here!
1. Happy, happy New Year‘s Eve!! ? Who’s got big plans for ringing in 2016 tonight? I haven’t done any crazy NYE partying in a good handful of years, but I’m hoping to head downtown to watch the fireworks if it’s not too cold out (should be -12ºC/10ºF?). I just need to make sure I’m out of the house by 8pm so that I don’t fall asleep on the couch at 10 and wake up at 12:05… which may or may not have happened on a few occasions in the past ? Other than that, I’ll probably spend most of the day deep cleaning my home (#cleanslate) and really ironing out what I want to focus on in the upcoming year. I’m not a huge fan of resolutions since I don’t think you need a new calendar to start making positive changes (you can do that any SECOND), but there are definitely some [work, blog, life, fitness] things I want to see happen in 2016, so I want to finalize my plan of action for those… and when I actually finish doing that, I’ll share more deets ?
2. One thing I have figured out for next year is my One Word. Have you heard of it? It’s where, instead of making resolutions, you choose one word to be the main inspiration and driving force behind all your thoughts and actions. You envision the kind of person you want to become, or the kind of life you want to live, and try to figure out the main trait or attitude that will get you there. I couldn’t decide between two words, so I cheated and went with both ? The first one is:
There’s so much hate and negativity in the world — I want to do my best to contribute as little as possible. And I say “as little as possible” because I’m only human and prone to the occasional bad attitude, but I do want to make a conscious effort to approach every person and every situation with kindness. And this includes myself as well. I’m sure we all know how much easier it is to be kinder to others than it is to be kind to ourselves; and how easy it is to say things to ourselves that we would never even dream of saying to our friends. That sh*t needs to stop.
3. Word #2 is:
This all comes down to the whole idea that “the happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have.” I started consciously practicing gratitude a few years back, and it completely changed my outlook on life, and in turn, my level of happiness. Expectations can lead to disappointments, and constantly focusing on our “have-nots” can make us completely overlook our “haves.” It only takes a couple of minutes every day to think up and write down a blessing or two, and while it might seem a little gimmicky and forced at first, I promise that it makes a huge difference in the long run. I definitely haven’t always been Ms. Positivity, but after making more of an effort to consciously practice gratitude, I can honestly say that it’s gotten to the point where I naturally gravitate towards seeing the good in things rather than the bad. Unless I’m extremely tired or hungry. Then the world feels like it’s falling apart around me ?
4. On that note, allow me to introduce you to my handy dandy 2016 gratitude journal…
It’s actually just the perpetual calendar that came with my Erin Condren Life Planner, but I’ve repurposed it as a gratitude journal because: a) it conveniently has one small line for each day of the year, meaning there’s no pressure to sit down and write a tonne, b) you see just how much you have to be grateful for when the pages start to fill up, and c) I couldn’t figure out what else to do with the extra little thing that came with my beloved planner. Interested in getting your own? Check out my 2016 ECLP review!
5. So let’s talk blogging goals. Or blogging direction, I guess. Basically, where Spoons is going in 2016 ? On the surface, not a lot will change. I… NOPE. Hold up. I lied. On the surface, a lot will change. I know I’ve tossed around the idea of a redesign before, but what held me back was not really knowing what I wanted and not knowing what designer I wanted to go with. Well, I’ve finally found one that I feel really comfortable with, so now it’s just a matter of playing the waiting game. Hopefully we’ll see things moving along in that area in the earlier part of the year!
6.Content wise, not a lot will change. I feel like I’m in a pretty good place right now as far as my posting schedule goes, so I really just want to keep the ball rolling by pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone and improve a little bit each day, whether that be through my photography, styling, networking, vlogging (!!!), social media-ing, etc. That means another year of healthy recipes with [hopefully] a little more personal stuff on the side.
7. Oh, and I may or may not be working on a very exciting project that I seriously can’t WAIT to tell you guys about, but mum’s gotta be the word for now ? As soon as I get all the details nailed down, you better believe I’ll be telling you all about it!
8. And I think that’s that! I normally try to keep these ToL posts on the shorter side, but there was a lot that I wanted to talk to you guys about before the New Year, and no other time to really do it (if you made it this far, you’re a champion). This’ll probably be my last post of 2015 (omg! ?), so I hope you guys have an amazing NYE (stay safe!!), and I’ll see your friendly faces next year from this place right here…
No questions… just tell me whatever comes to your mind! 😀
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Kindness is such a good word- I might make it my word but be selfish and be kinder to myself- Stop being a people pleaser and embracing other qualities!
Happy New Year girl! I’m the same as you – I don’t like the idea that the beginning of the year is the only time to set goals. But that being said, I do like that it gives me a bit of an extra push to think about goals and set some intentions. It’s been such a busy holiday season that I haven’t even had a chance to think about it yet though!
aw i love your blog design! it must be really good if you’ve finally decided on a new one 🙂 and i’m also excited about your new project!
It’s early stages yet so I’m not sure how much will change, but I just felt like Spoons needed a bit of a facelift. Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year Gorgeous!
I love the one word thing. Definitely need to jump on that wagon!
I tend to fall back into negative self talk, so journaling and meditating is definitely on the ‘resolution’ plan.
Hope you had a great NYE last night!
And here I am wondering how you could -possibly- say anything negative about yourself… you’re wonderful! Wishing you ALL the best in 2016 <3
Kindness. I love that, and I love the idea of having a single word to focus on. It just simplifies the focus rather than having big lists of fitness schedules or meal plans or whatever most people make for New Year’s Resolutions.
I pray with the kids every night but we focus on saying thank you. When my oldest son stopped letting me put him to bed (he’s 15!!!) I told him that’s fine but that he needs to practice thankfulness so I made him jot down something he’s thankful for each night. I’m sure he was goofy with it, but I hope the idea sticks with him. Thankfulness is everything.
That’s such a beautiful habit to instil in your kids, Suzy. Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2016!!
Freakout!! It would be so totally *awesome* if you ever did a vlog! Haha, I’ve been wondering for awhile what your voice sounds like (<- is that weird? Yeah, yeah, that's weird… ?). That said, it's totally no pressure…it's your comfort zone that you're pushing yourself beyond and your time that you're sacrificing, so I 100% understand if it never happens.
You are just beautiful, Amanda, inside and out, and I am so glad that I can follow along with you on this part of your journey and be sort of internet friends. ? Hope you have a wonderful 2016! Happy New Year! ?
Gah! You sure do know how to make a girl blush <3 Thanks so much for your kind words, lady! Your comments are always so wonderful. I hope you have an amazing New Year, full of more love and laughs than you can handle 😀
Gratitude and kindness are such wonderful words to choose. I know how listing just one thing each day that you are grateful for can have such a big impact. 🙂
Happy new year! Hope 2016 is a wonderful year for you and spoons!
Thanks so much, Jen! Wishing you all the best in 2016!! <3
Agh kindness and gratitude. They seem like words we hear all the time, but how often are they actually put into practice? I think those are great words to focus on.
And YES to vlogging! 😀 Happy New Year, love!
Happy New Year, Alison! Wishing you ALL the best in 2016 <3
Happy New Year Amanda! I think you’ve had a pretty stellar year! Your blog has grown and changed so much (I followed you even before the hiatus!) and it’s truly inspiring to see how far you’ve come personally and professionally. Your food and photography are always gorgeous and I can only imagine Spoons will continue to get BIGGER and BIGGER in the new year! I’m excited for the new look! I am actually undergoing a redesign right now too! Hopefully it will debut in the next day or so. 🙂
Aww thanks so much for your kind words, Kaila. And I’m seeing a countdown timer when I visit your blog, which must mean your redesign is underway! Super exciting 🙂 Happy New Year!
Happy NYE! So happy I stopped by, I Love the gratitude journal idea and keeping it simple! Excited to see your new projects xo C
Happy New Year, Courtney!
LOVE the gratitude journal. I totally agree that happiness comes from being thankful for what you have in your life.
Have a great new year’s. Hope you manage to stay awake haha!
Haha! I -did- manage, but today was a little rough 😉 Happy New Year, Kelly!
My one word this year is Veracity. I want to bring more vulnerability and rawness into both my writing and my life. I hope it inspires a better understanding of myself, my motivations and my struggles as well as deeper connections with friends I already hold dear, and inspires new relationships and connections to bloom.
Happy New Year!
Vulnerability is actually a pretty beautiful thing, and it’s something that I want to bring back into my life as well. I feel like I’ve really stepped away from being personal on the blog and that’s something I”d really like to change in 2016. Happy New Year!
Oh, I can’t wait to see the new design! I’m on a waiting list to have mine redone and I cannot wait. Getting a new look is so much fun! 🙂
I hope you have a wonderful time watching fireworks in 10 degree weather…BBRRRR!!
Happy New Year, love! xo
You too!? Eee! SO exciting. And I’m pretty sure that I’m going to end up getting wait listed as well. Totally worth it, though. Happy New Year, Sarah!!
Happy New Year! I am not big on resolutions either. It seems they set people up for failure. I love your one word idea. That is awesome. Such a good idea to start the new year with!
Happy New Year, Shannon!
Thanks for reminding me to pick up the idea of choosing one word [or two as – like you – I’m very indecisive] to focus on in the upcoming year. Kindness is one I’m always trying to implement though yes, harsh words evade my mouth at times. Like you said: we’re human.
I’m curious to see Spoons’ redesign in the new year.
Regarding tonight I don’t have any special plans as I’d been feeling sick since shortly before Christmas and didn’t want to make any promises I wouldn’t be able to keep. Now I’m better but okay spending the night with a good book or movie.
I actually love welcoming the new year quietly. Hope it was a lovely night for you <3 And wishing you all the best in 2016!
Hi!! I just checked out your blog for the first time in a while- hello again! 🙂 I’m excited to read more about your new project- sounds super interesting! Hope you have a great New Year’s Eve!!
Hi De! Good to see you 🙂 And wishing you all the best for 2016!!