Hello 2021

Hi hello good morning to you 2021

My last post over here on the blog looked back over the year that we've had, celebrating the joy in the chaos, something I hope to continue to do into this new year. For this post, I want to look ahead into 2021.

At the beginning of each year I like to give myself some personal goals for the new year ahead. I know lots of people find this quite challenging, especially right now while living through a pandemic, and honestly its feels like a bit of a strange fresh start seeing as we're mostly all still stuck inside. However, giving myself goals is how I get myself going and motivate myself. There's no pressure, and I don't beat myself up if things don't go to plan. But I like the structure and I find motivation in planning how I want to spend my time in this new year.

Before I get onto a list I've made, which to be honest isn't too dissimilar from last year, my number one priority this year is to live slow, and to give God space. I know the year we've had has involved lots of slowing down, and I think those experiences have encouraged me to carry this forward into 2021. But also in my day job I find there is no time to waste time, every second and minute counts, and sometimes this can carry forward into my time outside work. I like to make lists and plans, as you'll see below! But I'm not going to be afraid to throw it all out and actually go with God's plan, not mine. I want to give time to read the bible, to pray, worship, to practise silence and solitude and to serve his agenda, not mine. I want to put others' needs before my own. I want to practise the sabbath.

I've talked about hope on the blog this year and it's a theme we're focusing on at church at the moment. I have so much hope in what there is to come, and I praise God for the blessings he's given. Through the hardship we're going through as a world community at the moment it's important to hold onto the hope we have in Jesus, and by doing this I pray we will experience joy amongst the chaos.

RIGHT. Onto the list.

• play the piano - I've got a new Einaudi book for Christmas and I'm already enjoying finding new pieces to play.

• write more songs - something I want to do more of this year, with not a lot else going on in our lives this feels like a good time to be focusing on music. I wrote a song continuing on the theme of hope over Christmas, and I'm hoping to record it soon to share online.

• bullet journalling - a new venture for me. Although I started doing something similar over lockdown, writing weekly lists and dates down, I'm going to try it properly this year, again without real pressure and only if it helps me day to day, it won't be a stress! I've already made some spreads for the year and for January, I'd like to share them on the blog over the next few weeks!

• calligraphy - inspired by my bujo adventures, I want to keep practising calligraphy. Let's see how I get on...

• be healthy - I enjoyed doing exercise over lockdown, doing p.e workouts with friends over zoom, yoga, youtube workouts, running and my wonderful friends at wildfire wellness gave me access to some great workouts. Also eating healthily and drinking more water, as per usual. I say this every year, most years I don't drink as much as I should day to day but let's see how this year goes!

• blog - last year I stepped up my blogging game and really enjoyed it, so I'd like to keep this up as we move into 2021.

• read - I read every evening before going to sleep and it definitely helps me get off to sleep quicker! I want to read more than this though, and instead of scrolling through social media I want to pick up a book instead.

That's all for now! I hope you all have a happy and healthy start to 2021, and I can't wait for the day that we can celebrate all the celebrations together with friends and family.

Happy New Year!

Emily xx