Hello friends! It’s a new month and not just a new month but a new year! Welcome 2021! I know that many of us are extremely excited about what 2021 has to offer, especially with the struggles that 2020 brought. I, for one, am very excited to get back into the swing of things and revising my goals each month.

Last month…

December was a strange month for us. We loved being in the holiday spirit but in so many ways, it was different. Joe actually got COVID the week of Christmas and although we had stayed home as best as we could and quarantined to avoid getting it, he ended up getting it likely from the hospital where he worked. It was discouraging of course because it felt like we should be the last people to get it! After all, we had followed the rules, been responsible, and sacrificed social gatherings to prevent it. But that about sums up what 2020 was like for most people. Bad things happened, most of them weren’t our fault. We ended the new year at home by ourselves as well. We rested and I was grateful for the excuse to really relax and make myself rest (not something that I do often).

A few joys for me last month..

— Automated routines, I got a Google Mini for Christmas and I was excited to find that routines are a great thing to set-up for your home. We love having a smart home.

— Automated Lightbulbs + Outlets, paired with the routines are an incredible thing. We have several routines set-up but my favorite one is saying “Good night” and having all of the lights in the family room shut off as well as the TV.

— Painting my own nails at home have been a great source of self-care

This Month..

Something I want to purchase:

— I have been wanting to add a facial oil to my skin routine. This squalane oil is on my list of things to purchase.

Something I’m reading:

If you are following me on Instagram, you know that I have been sharing the books that I’ve been reading. You can also view the books I’m excited to read in 2021 in my “2021 Reading List” post.

I have a few books that I am reading in rotation this month.. I do this to prevent getting bored ;)

— You Have More Time Than You Think

— Every Great Endeavor – this one is a part of my morning routine now

— Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

— A Court of Mist and Fury – definitely a pleasure read for me. I love settling down for the night and reading this in place of TV. This is the second book in the series.

Something I want to do:

✨ Finish “You Have More Time Than You Think”⁣

✨ Have a couples spa night ⁣

✨ Count my macros ⁣

✨ Cook recipes from the cookbooks I have, especially excited to explore this one. ⁣

✨ Start learning how to sew ⁣

✨ Teach Banjo a new trick!⁣

✨ Devote more hours during the week to playing cello – this month I am taking on Brahms Sonata No. 1

✨ Get back to writing more – in You Have More Time Than You Think, there is an exercise that encourages us to spend time doing the things we are good at. Ever since I was a kid, I have loved writing. I wrote plays, books, short stories, etc. It makes sense that all of that translated into later having a blog! I am so grateful for this space.

January probably won’t look much different from December, we anticipate staying home like we have for the past several months but I am excited to tackle the few goals I have for this month!

What goals are you excited for this month?