This post contains affiliate links, but all opinions are my own. Read my full disclosure statement here.
New year, same old me.
It’s currently January 2021 – Check out what I’ve been doing to kick off this year (surprise, it’s nothing!).
Watching
If 2021 is giving us anything, it’s TV. I just finished Bridgerton on Netflix and it’s so good. I normally hate period TV/movies, but this one was so different – Gossip Girl 100 years ago, if you will.
One of the most exciting things I’ve heard so far this year is the revival of my all time favourite show Sex and the City on HBO Max. I’ll miss Samantha, but when it comes to Sex and the City, I’ll take anything I can get. I’m so excited.
Listening To
When the world is so full of sadness, the best way to feel better is to listen to extremely upbeat, fun music. All of my recent playlist are pop-rap and I really feel like it boosts my mood.
Current favourite song to play on repeat: Best Friend – Saweetie ft. Doja Cat
Eating
With no where to go and no activities to take part in, we’ve been saving a lot of money. We decided to re-purpose that money and use it to get take out once a week (something we never did in the past). There isn’t much to look forward to during lockdown, so our kids get really excited to pick the restaurant every week.
This week? Popeye’s chicken!
Shopping For
Holly’s 12th birthday, Valentine’s Day, and Easter. Everything is going to be very low key, but I’ve started collecting small items whenever I see them on sale.
I’m also currently on the hunt for an acoustic guitar for Holly. I’m really excited that she’s interested in learning an instrument as this is something I always wanted for myself. I guess it’s never too late to learn!
Doing
Since December, we’ve been back to lockdown life. Activities were cancelled, schools closed, and I’m back to working from home and virtual schooling.
The only productive thing we’ve been doing during this time is finishing up home projects. We finally finished putting up baseboards in our living room after replacing the flooring way back in early 2020. It feels amazing to finish such a big ticket item, but for some reason, I’m finding it hard to take on new projects right now.
Thinking
Working from home and homeschooling for 6 months last year pushed me to my absolute breaking point. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and when they announced our schools were closing again in December it hit me hard. I went into full panic mode knowing that my mental health couldn’t handle it again.
Over the Christmas break (I was lucky enough to get 2 weeks off work), I did a lot of self reflection and came to the conclusion that instead of complaining, I needed to change something. My husband and I decided that it was time for me to take a 50% leave from work, and it’s been the best thing I ever did. I feel so much more at peace in all aspects of my life since doing so.
Sometimes we just need to breathe, reset, and make real changes to get through the tough periods of our life. Stressing doesn’t make things better, and I’m learning this slowly, but surely.
Planning
Because 2021 is still so uncertain, I made a list of possible projects. The difference between this year and other years is that I’m going into it with no pressure. If I get 5 projects done, great. If I only get 2 done, it’s fine. The biggest goal is not to get overwhelmed and give up.
Right now the list consists of smaller craft projects with some bigger home projects like building a new deck and painting a few rooms in the house. Nothing too wild!
Did you start your 2021 on the right foot? Are you treating this year differently than others? Tell me in the comments.