1.2.25
It’s so cold out this morning! I sit here cuddled up in a blanket on the couch, cuddling my dog (more accurately, being bullied by my dog into petting her), drinking coffee and trying to work up the motivation to take her for a walk. There’s going to be a cold blast the next couple of weeks which leads perfectly into my January goals.
My favorite time of year is fall into the holiday season. It starts with the long lazy days of summer coming back into a shape and a rhythm with the schedule and structure that back-to-school brings. Then it’s soccer and football games and homecoming dresses and school spirit. Before you know it there are nights by the fire pit snuggled under a blanket telling stories with your family. Then comes Thanksgiving with food and games and general family togetherness. And BOOM, we’re decking the halls and wrapping presents and laughing at white elephant gift exchanges and quietly celebrating with glee when we’ve found the perfect gift for someone we love. Too much food, too much wine, so much laziness in those quiet days after Christmas when I crave a few days back to life with no schedule before the hectic hits again in January.
And so, I often get a big post holiday let down in the beginning of January. Yesterday I was reflecting on this during my morning walk with Yadi. At the same time, I was listening to my dear friend, Ally, speak on a podcast about the divinity in the creative that we are each born with. I began to ponder all of the things I was hearing and it stirred in my heart that I needed to reframe the way I view the calendar year. Rather than looking at January as the end of something I love, and February as a month that I typically loathe, and focusing on the long 9 months until I get to my favorite season again, I need to find joy in each season. And so, with that, I’ve decided to give an official Lacey Trumbo rebrand, based entirely on my own weird preferences, to time periods that I’ve created in my own weird mind.
January - February - These are now officially the cozy months. Here is what is IN for these months:
Snuggling on the couch. Definitely with my dog, preferably with Ryan. Ideally with my children. This will involve blankets, coffee (or wine depending on time of day) and keeping my husband company while he watches all the sports.
Nesting - cleaning and decluttering as I take down decorations (at my leisure). I will embrace Taylor Swift and leave the lights up until (through) January if I so desire). But when I feel led to take things down, I’ll focus on removing the things that bring stress and buying more of the things that bring cozy. Here’s to blankets and pillows!
Reading - Instead of feeling guilty for spending hours in the same position with a book I will celebrate a season of quiet and conscious learning. I will, of course, keep reading the fiction I love, but also branch out and embrace books that will shed some light into my current season of spiritual reawakening.
These things are OUT:
Guilt - Ok, this may be a pipe dream but as I look back at the year that was 2024 I see more progress than ever in my attempts to unshackle myself from the burden of guilt and embrace the freedom in trusting who I am.
Fitness goals - I will not be trying any new fads or workouts. I will be eating as crappy as ever. I will continue to stay as far away from the scale as possible.
Trying to be the right person who says the right things at the right time. I want to rely LESS on my high social IQ and focus more on being me in social situations. Hopefully if I show people my true self from the start, I will avoid my past habit of getting into friendships that then dissolve when I get brave enough to find my voice.
I don’t have the rest of the seasons hammered out in such detail but here’s what I’m thinking.
March & April - warmer days mean incorporating more outdoor exercise and trying to change up my workout routine so it doesn’t get stale. Maybe a weekly hike somewhere cool and an outdoor bike ride where I push aside my fear of being hit by a car and embrace being outside. Also, will be back to high school soccer! Nights at the stadium with friends watching our girls play. Lot’s to be excited about in that season.
May & June - this year these months will bring terminal leave, retirement ceremony, 25th wedding anniversary and a big trip with Ryan and the kids to celebrate all of those things. I don’t think I have to do too much to frame those months!
July and August - Goal setting and preparation. Getting ready to get after it!
As you can see, I’ve still got a ways to go but i feel hopeful at the progress we are making! Cheers to 2025!
*absolutely not edited for clarity, brevity, typos or mistakes
