The Sunday Sit | January, New Year Reflections.

It’s a rainy 35 degree Sunday and the house is a rare level of quietness.

Normally when that happens, I’ll slip out to the porch and curl up on the porch swing, even just for 5 minutes to regroup and collect whatever brain cells are still floating around. But one, it’s freezing, and two, I’ve felt unexpectedly inspired sitting in my new cozy craft corner instead. So consider this a virtual porch sit. A place to catch-up, reflect on the month, and revisit a few highs and lows.

During the slower days came a bit of space to reflect. I’ve always been a New Year person. I love a new planner. I love planning. I love dreaming up trips, home projects, etc. For most of my adult life, I’ve filled every inch of my planner, leaving very little blank space. But as I look onward to 2026, what I think I actually need is more blank space. Space to sit on the porch. To stare at my baby or to play pretend with my 4- yr old. To cook the meals I’ve been craving instead of immediately DoorDashing them. To take a 30 minute walk break in the middle of a weekday without the strange guilt that has somehow stayed with me since my corporate job days. To learn something new simply for the joy of it. Space to just live.

I’ve decided that I’ll ease into my personal “new year” tomorrow, the 19th. After all of the sicknesses that have made their way through our house over the last few weeks, it feels right to start fresh then. I never fail to end the year completely burned out, and just as motivation and creativity were beginning to peek back in, bam, winter sicknesses. I’m hopeful this coming week will be a healthy re-entry into routines, routines that feel calm though instead of rushed.

This month, I’m…

Learning: knitting (I actually attended a local in-person class last week so TBD on how that journey will go but it was very fun), delegating, new routines with a six-month-old, ways to simplify our home so that clutter isn’t everywhere, and learning that blank space in the calendar is where life actually happens.

Letting Go Of: perfectionism tendencies, processed meat, ordering Goodberry’s (frozen custard) to be delivered multiple nights per week.

Finding Comfort In: moments with my family, creating simple traditions like homemade pizza on friday’s, the reminder that not everything needs to be shared online.

Reading: The Family Home

Wearing: easy everyday things. I recently admitted to myself that my closet was starting to feel like a museum of my past years so my wardrobe is under construction currently (being majorly sorted and donated) until I edit it down to a capsule-wardrobe-situation-of-sorts that gives me back more time in my mornings.

2025 rearranged my priorities in ways that I didn’t really expect. I started the year in my first trimester with my now-healthy baby girl. Throughout the pregnancy though, each appointment brought more scary news and I’m endlessly grateful to be on the other side of it all. But when you quietly think about the “what-if’s” of not making it through, your priorities shift quickly.

It honestly reminded me of how much I simply love living. This sounds very ‘Live Laugh Love’ of me, I know. Especially during a time where the news is almost always heavy and the world feels extremely overwhelming. It’s also impossible to ignore how much time technology has taken away from us… outside time replaced with scrolling, boredom replaced with highlight reels, so many hours lost each day without realizing it. Social media definitely has it’s place but I think many of us are craving a better balance heading into this new year.

Looking ahead, nearly every decision I make this year will be with my family in mind but I also want to protect small pockets of time to explore hobbies that have lived on my wishlist for years. Sewing, painting, improving photography, embroidery, cooking… Carving time out for myself to do these things in turn always makes me a happier and better parent.

I don’t feel the need to cram this year full outside of that though. Of course, I’d love to take my family on a few fun trips (these recommendations were so much fun to read last week) but I want my days to have more breathing room and I want to leave room for the moments that don’t necessarily fit neatly into a planner.

Shelby