It's been a while since I've blogged... anywhere. I used to keep up a blog about reading and such over at "...It's Like a Whirlwind Inside of My Head..." The last time I wrote there was about two-and-a-half years ago after the birth of my son. Like, I have a whole toddler now. I talk to him and he talks back to me in full sentences. Just wild.
Any way.
The thing about that blog is that it was created in part for a class I took back in 10th grade-- so when I was 15-16 years old. I just celebrated my 29th birthday a week ago. That's a long time to be writing, even off-and-on, in the same place and doing the same thing. I want to get back into blogging, but I think I'm in need of a fresh start, a fresh topic... just something new.
Here's my life situation right now: I'm a mom to my two-and-a-half-year-old son, I'm married to my high school sweetheart (we've been together for 14 years, married for 6 of those years), we bought our first house just under a year ago in a neighborhood that is new to both of us, I'm about to enter the last semester of my Masters program, and I'm in my 6th year as a high school English teacher. I'm at the point where I'm feeling pretty secure in my professional life and I'm ready to shift away from centering my identity on my job and things that support my job. I love what I do, but I'm more than my profession. I want to take time to celebrate the other parts of my identity and share other parts of my life. That's what I'm hoping to do with this blog.
Writing here is supporting the resolutions I have set for 2023. I've decided that it's silly to wait until January 1st, so I've actually gotten started on several of my resolutions already. Since my resolutions will largely be the motivation behind the things I do this year, I want to share them here.
1. Learn how to do something new around the house. I'm learning how to use power tools and make things to help make our house a better place to live. I've got some big plans!
2. 365 days of gratitude. This is something I've been doing in my journal, but I have been doing this publicly through my Instagram. I think sharing what I'm grateful for publicly might make the practice more meaningful. I think that's what I'm trying to figure out and experimenting with here.
3. Successfully cultivate a sourdough starter. I tried this summer and I just couldn't get it. But I'm not giving up! Sourdough is delicious.
4. Complete 5 exercise programs through Beach Body. I started this early in the year and while I haven't been as consistent as I should be, it's already improvement that I keep back to these programs. I like the choices in programs and I like the community I've found where we support each other.
5. Get my first tattoo. I've wanted to do this for a while, so I want to stop putting this off and just do it.
6. Learn how to preserve food. I started a garden this past summer, but I want to get into the habit of regularly making recipes and canning things so we can use every part of the harvest we make.
7. Learn how to make food items I would normally buy out of convenience at the grocery store. This is related to number 6. I have ketchup and pasta sauce in mind. This could help us save money, use what we grow in our garden, and make healthier convenience food.
8. Find the best farmer's market in my area. This will help me explore my area more and also support local farmers!
9. Take up blogging again. Check :)
10. Explore 10 places in my neighborhood and around Minnesota that I've never visited before.
11. Get my nose pierced. Another thing I've wanted to do but have repeatedly put off. No more!
What was important to me when it came to making this list is that I stayed away from numbers as much as possible and that I focused on things that I've always wanted to do but have put off for any number of reasons. I'm hoping that this will help me embrace who I am outside of teaching and once my Masters program is complete and no longer taking up all of my available time. I'm really excited for what is to come in 2023!
