I don’t know about you, but I have been in a January funk.  Between Christmas and New Year’s Day I was lazy.  Lazy turned to lethargy and lethargy turned into apathy.  Case in point, I started writing this blog post on January 11th.  I just now got back to it.  And it was a mess, just like my brain.  So I’m scratching the entire thing and starting over.  My 2024 is starting today and I’m happy about that.

As you might remember, I am anti New Year’s resolutions.  That being said, I am not anti setting goals or creating a 2024 bucket list.  But before I move on to 2024 I think I need to evaluate how I did with my 2023 Bucket List.

1.  In not exciting at all news, I did get my colonoscopy.  They need to come up with a better system.
2. Restaurants I wanted to try: I did terrible in this category.  I only made it to Mai Lee.  It was amazing and I highly recommend.
3. Reading one classic a quarter.  I’m happy to say I passed this with flying colors.
4. Have a Master Suite in our new house completed.  I’m going to go ahead and call this done.  It isn’t decorated but the room exists so CHECK!

Here are my bucket list items for 2024:

1. RESTAURANTS- Go to Bar Moro!
2. READ- One classic novel a quarter and one book for whatever heritage month it is.  For example, read a book by a Black author in February, by an LGBTQ author in June, etc.
3. STOP APOLOGIZING- Not when necessary but ONLY when necessary.  I apologize for everything, including just existing.  And I think I’m passing it down to one of my daughters.  I need to stop.  It will be hard but I’m really going to make a conscious effort.
4. LISTEN TO MY BODY- This is going to be my theme for 2024.  I had already started at the end of 2023 and was doing well until the lazy/lethargy/apathy set in.  Time to take back some control even if, for me, “control” is easing into a new pattern. All I mean is to truly pay attention to my body.
   1. Nutrition- Am I really hungry or am I dehydrated?  If I am hungry what vitamins/minerals do I feel like I’m needing:  iron, vitamin C, fiber, etc?  Whatever it is, it will probably be better solved with some water and an apple over Fritos.  But also, sometimes my body does need a chili cheese dog and that is ok. Balance.
   2. REST!  Not be lazy, but actual rest.  A body needs rest and that is ok.  The health benefits are proven time and time again.  Quit killing yourself everyone!  You aren’t doing anyone any favors.  I have started heading upstairs to get ready for bed at 9:30.  I know I’m going to want to read in bed.  It’s not a big surprise so I need to plan for that.
   3. Movement- Am I going to become a workout guru?  Absolutely not.  I actually quit one of my work out classes in December because it was too intense and my body was telling me it was too much.  I listened.  But I just need to move more.  I’ve been doing pretty good this last week and a half and I have the entire year to work on it.

I hope your January was spectacular.  If not, that’s ok because January is almost over and we can all start anew.  Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy 2024!

p.s. Congrats to all children born this year, the Year of the Dragon!  Just like me.  Woo Hoo!