Hello, 2024!

You might notice there are a lot of tiny changes happening within this space (blog), still! Two months into it, and almost a whole month of stillness, but my mind is always running. Too fast sometimes, making it hard for me to keep up.

I am usually very particular about the beginning of a new year… I like to reminisce on the year that’s going, plan for the new one…, and a lot of tiny traditions that make my planned and perfectionist self feel grounded and ready for a ‘new chapter.’

2024 however, arrived as a breeze, quick and subtle! And I found myself in a few too relaxing weeks for me to do any of that.

Once I was back home though, I could not wait to organize myself, set my goals, spend time with my people, write, and create. So much so that the first week back didn’t leave me with one minute to spare.

Now, I can finally say that the new year has begun! 2024 brought an interesting feeling with it; I can feel butterflies in my stomach when I think about all of the possibilities and plans in sight! And as everything is exciting, there’s a touch of anxiety that comes with it- a reason why I always look for ways to ground myself, to focus on what really matters.

I’ve read Rooted, by Banning Liebsher five times in the past five years, but there’s this quote that resonated with me in a new way the last time I read it:

“What matters in life is loving God passionately & wholehearted obedience & loving people well.”

I wrote it down in my gratitude journal. At the top of the list, so I remember every day that the most important things in life go beyond my goals, and my daily to-do list. The really important things are invisible to the eye, and can easily get lost in the rush of routine.

As we step into this new year, I extend an invitation to you—to join me in defining your priorities. Those things that go beyond the goals you might have set for yourself, or the things you hope to accomplish this year… Write down the three things that matter to you, and that can help you anchor your focus on these priorities. Every year I choose a word to guide it. And for the past four, that word has been the perfect match to what the year brings, the surprises, delights, and challenges that come with it. That’s an interesting way for ‘measuring’ this new chapter, not as specific goals might, check marks on a page, but by noticing your growth and maturing around that one topic you chose at the beginning of it.

This word often comes up as a response to the previous year, something that I want to focus on in the new 365 days of opportunity ahead. Sometimes though, I have to put some more effort in searching for it, within me or in my conversations with God (if this sounds crazy, it’s okay! I hope you get it one day…) There’s such a value and importance to the things that we let dwell in our minds. Our thoughts drive our actions, our perspective of ourselves and of the world around us, and that is why it is so important for us to take control of them, and choose carefully where to spend our energy and time.

I am excited for a very creative year around here! I plan on introducing new topics such as travel, design, and architecture! Stay tuned and follow me on Instagram to see what’s new around here.

Wishing you your best year yet!