Like many of you, I spend this In Between week (which is what I call this glorious week between Christmas and New Year) reflecting on the past year and thinking, dreaming and anticipating the new year, and the fresh start of a new year.

(This is basically a stream of consciousness post, so please read knowing it’s not pre-planned and just written as I’m thinking about preparing for the new year).

Most of my goals and intentions for the next year are, basically, repeating the ones from last year. (I know this because I write them down, and when I reviewed my journal, there it is in black and white). I look at those things, and rather than think that I didn’t “accomplish” them, I look at these things as part of a lifestyle. The habits and rituals that I want to consistently continue doing.

If you are curious, they are things like continuing to have morning reading/devotional time, continue walking most days, continue working on strength, continue nurturing my body, continue a new hobby, continue reading more and scrolling less, continue learning new things, continue focusing on work. See, there’s nothingI exciting or sexy here. They are all small, intentional things that have added up over time and do not have an end date. So, these are the actions and habits that will carry over to 2024.Can I make them better? Can I be more intentional? Can I add to the list something new for 2024? Of course. But I am past making a ridiculous list of “goals” that are unmanageable and do not contribute to overall wellbeing. I’ve also added three specific actions/thoughts I will absolutely STOP this year. I know with certainty the stopping will support how I want to feel physically and mentally this time next year.

I do have 2-3 specific, and personal, changes I want make. I’ve made those very specific. I’ve come up with a plan and put the end date on my brand new 2024 calander. These three things are not pie in the sky. They are doable. They will make me feel better and will add to the way I want to feel and be this time next year. (Maybe I’ll share these, but just know some relate to this “midlife” season of life, and the physical/emotional consequences I’ve been fighting, figuring out, and working through.) Just when you get one thing figured out, something new gets thrown your way, right?

One of the things I’ve done in the past is think of a word to represent the coming year. This year I was thinking of something completely different. Then one morning, as I was talking to myself (which is really easy when you live alone and have dogs. You just pretend you are talking to the dogs) I told myself that I just wanted to SAVOR more in the new year. That was my AHA moment. The word SAVOR basically chose me.

SAVOR: To have experience of; taste; to taste or smell with pleasure; Relish; To delight in; Enjoy.

Doesn’t that sound delicious and wonderful? Something that truly adds to the day? During the holiday the boys and I were sitting around talking about the new year and I mentioned this as my new year intention. One of my sons, I’ll not say which, told me he thought this would be difficult for me. He said he didn’t think I was very good at sitting, at slowing down or taking time for pleasure. Ouch. Did he really see me that way? He told me it wasn’t a bad thing, but I didn’t take it as a good thing. Clearly, I am, as always, a work in progress.

As I was thinking on actually taking the time to savor, and what that means, and doing a little research into how it can benefit our wellbeing, I’ll say it actually follows the message I’ve been sharing over the past couple of years. Savoring where you are at that moment, what you are doing, tasting, smelling, seeing, experiencing, whether it’s on a walk, connecting with a friend, loving on your pup, enjoying a cup of coffee, focusing on work, all boost the whole concept of moving forward. And if I am honest with myself, I see where my son was right. I often have a hard time being in the moment - because that would mean I am not planning the next “thing”, thinking of what I “should” be doing, or what I could be doing better. I had a counselor tell me once that, for me, simply sitting and learning to “be” is, of course so good for us, but is also actually work, for some of us.

So, to savor is to do just what the definition above states.

And moving forward comes from savoring. One cannot move forward if we are reliving, re-thinking and reminding ourselves of the past. It’s possible to miss the moments right in front of us while stuck ruminating on the past OR worried about he future or what is next. Savoring helps us stay grounded where we are and positive about ourselves and in our circumstances. Positive thinking is not pretending to be happy (although sometimes the old “fake it ‘til you make it does actually work”), but it is really about noticing the things that lead to happiness, joy, peace - which are how we reduces stress and frustrations.

In 2024, I aim to savor more by being unbusy more, connecting more, scrolling less, walking, hiking and being outside more, worrying less over the things I can’t control, enjoying more, letting go, listening and absorbing more, noticing, tasting, and feeling more, numbing less and Relishing. (Isn’t that a delightful word?).

I think I’ve actually been working toward this, but maybe not enough to make the best impact. (Obviously, if my son called me out on it) I have hope for the new year. - that I’ll make the time to savor all the good things around me. (and I hope you’ll call me out if I slip).

What about you? How do you look at a new year?

What about 2023?