new year's resolutions

I love these New Year’s posts because I get a lot of clarity on my intentions and goals, even (especially?) through failed and abandoned efforts.

First, a reflection on 2025’s list:

1. Keep carrying cash.
   Last week at physical therapy, my card wouldn’t cooperate with the card reader. I tried a second, and it still wouldn’t work. It felt so good to just pull out $10 and hand it over to the receptionist. This is just a way of life for me now.

2. Build a better summer wardrobe.

   With pregnancy, this summer was very dress-heavy, and I felt relatively comfortable and put together. While I won’t miss being pregnant, I will miss how easy it is to look cute with the bump.

3. Run another 5K.
   I did not do this, but I did give birth to a baby, unmedicated, in less than hour! Close enough!

4. Try going to the gym before work.
   I have accepted I am not one of those people. At least not now.

5. Re-prioritize reading.
   I met my goal and finished 35 books this year. I tried to keep a little log each month of what I read, but I stopped posting in October, for obvious reasons. My favorite books last year were Antarctica by Claire Keegan, Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld, Daughterhood by Emily Adrian, Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley, Flashlight by Susan Choi, and Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin.

6. Make it to 100 day Wordle streak.
   I achieved this goal!

7. Try wearing eye makeup.

   I did not do this. After the Wordle goal, I made a new goal of 100 Connections and my prize to myself was going to be an eyeshadow palette. I never made it to 100 Connections, and I never played with eye makeup. Also, I wear contacts and rub my eyes all the time. We’ll see about this one.

2026:

1. Begin my knitting journey.

   I know I won’t learn to knit this year because I had my first lesson from my dear friend Yash in December, and I retained absolutely nothing. However, I will keep having lessons, and eventually, I bet something will click. I will reconsider this journey after I have made a hat, a sweater, and a scarf.

2. Eat a vegetable every day.
   I am trying this out in lieu of adding more supplements to my routine. Last week I ate more beets than I ever had in my life and now I understand the combination of foods that make beets most appealing to me (farro + beets + dill + feta + simple vinaigrette)! Some days I just eat a handful of raw carrots or red pepper.

3. Save up for things I want.
   Delayed gratification, investment pieces, quality of quantity, buy it nice or buy it twice, etc. Right now I have my eye on a piece of jewelry that will take several months of my “fun money” budget to purchase. I have my savings tally on the fridge, and it motivates me to avoid impulsive spending.

4. Pay attention to my phone usage and etiquette.
   Last year I started a routine of deleting Instagram off my phone for 4-5 days per week. A few months ago we instituted a no phones in the living room policy. This week I decided to stop using my phone during night feedings. Finding the balance between keeping up with my friends and family, staying informed and aware, and being present in my home with my children is the goal.

5. Host every Saturday we’re in town.
   Something we’ve talked about (and even gone as far as to make a list of all the people we wanted to invited!), but never took action on. This post is a great starting point. I was especially taken with this quote: To get to know your neighbors and build deeper more meaningful relationships is what enables us to not just survive this era but possibly even thrive in and after it. We’re three for three now, have two more lined up, and are really happy with the way it’s going so far. Community is an antidote to despair.

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   I know that resolutions are polarizing, but if you’re inclined to make them, feel free to share how it’s going so far!

   
   Try to stay gentle out there,

   Lexie