Making Space For New Traditions

  

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” 

―C.S. Lewis

I am a woman of tradition, almost to a fault. I attach great meaning to things that are done year after year, and find great comfort in rituals and knowing exactly what to expect. Part of this is because of my introvert nature - comfort & routine are things I value greatly. At this time of year, traditions are front and center everywhere you look. From watching White Christmas while I wrap presents to singing Silent Night at the church I grew up on Christmas Eve, these next few weeks will be filled with nostalgia, but this year, also a little sadness. 

When you're someone who thrives on ritual and the importance of tradition, it can be difficult when long-standing traditions end. This year, because of things outside of my control, a few of my very favorite traditions won't be happening. Several months ago, I started to dread the holiday without them. Every time I pictured Christmas in my mind, images of those events were what I envisioned. Not being good with change anyway, I wasn't sure how to approach the season with the void these events had left behind. I could attempt to salvage what remained, but what was left wouldn't be the same at all. After much reflection, I realized the best thing would be to leave those traditions in my memory where they could live on, untarnished and at their best. 

After I gave myself a little time to be sad about this, a beautiful thing happened: it wasn't a void that these old traditions left behind, it was an empty space to be filled with new traditions. After all, every tradition is brand new the first time. And, because I was so focused on planning and upholding those sacred events that happened year after year, I closed myself off to new possibilities. My beau will be joining me for the full week in my hometown this year, and I'm so excited to forge new holiday territory with him in tow. 

And that sweater that I always buy my stepdad for Christmas? Since he likely has a whole closet full already, I think I'm going to get him something different this year.

{Image via Pinterest}

A Weekend of Thanks

This past weekend, my mom & stepdad drove in from Ohio to spend Thanksgiving with my beau and I. After years of battling the traffic ourselves to get to Ohio and last year's solo Thanksgiving, it was a real treat to have them with us. 

The weekend was the perfect kick off to the holiday season. We cooked Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday (complete with my mom's pumpkin pie, my favorite part), went to Apple House for even more apple butter donuts, saw a movie at the new Angelika theatre, oohed and ahhed over the adorable dancers in The Nutcracker, and bought & decorated a cute little Christmas tree. And, my mom surprised me with a sparkly red nail polish (Essie's Leading Lady). 

I have so much to be thankful for. Including you, the wonderful network of people I've met in this little corner of the internet. Happy kick off to the holidays! I'm putting on the Bing Crosby & Andrews Sisters holiday station on Pandora and trying to savor every moment.

Best Case Scenario

On Friday, I had a doctor's appointment that I was dreading. Because I feared I would be out of commission for the entire weekend, I didn't make any plans other than Sunday evening. With my worst case scenario mindset, I didn't want to be too optimistic and then have my hopes dashed. 

Imagine my surprise when the appointment went well and I found myself with a Saturday that was completely unplanned (and 65 degrees!). After a brief period of feeling overwhelmed & ill-prepared because I hadn't planned anything, my beau and I enjoyed a lovely afternoon in Northern Virginia. 

We had lunch at my beau's favorite Mexican restaurant. We took a drive to The Apple House for pumpkin spice donuts. We stopped at a winery for a tasting. We enjoyed the beautiful sunset and I felt miles away from the city, my routines, and most importantly, my worries. 

Lesson learned: sometimes, worst case scenario can actually turn out to be the best case scenario. 

{Photos taken on my iPhone using the Afterglow app} 

Stop & Savor

Here in DC, it seems that fall has already slipped through our fingertips. One hurricane and an election later, the trees are nearly bare and I'm already reaching for my sweaters and heavier coat. And though I'm clearly a much bigger fan of chilly weather over warm, I keep wishing everything would just slow down a little bit. If I don't pause and enjoy my favorite time of year, in an instant, it will be the cold, dark days of February with nary a twinkle light in sight. 

I've been reflecting recently on the passage of time, and how it just keeps speeding up. I get so caught up in our routines and cramming as many things as possible into my schedule that I worry I'm missing the beauty in life. Between snoozing my alarm and charting out every moment in my planner, there is my life, wizzing by. This time of year really just lends itself to slowing down a bit, stopping, and savoring those things in life that make it sparkle for you.

If you think about it, fall is the ideal time of year to release and let go of things you're hanging on to. Think of the trees, letting go of those beautiful leaves and allowing them to fall to the ground. New leaves will grow and emerge, but for now, it is the season for simplicity and turning inward. 

A thing I'm specifically trying to let go of is planning, and within that, a bit of control. Next month, I'll be heading home to Ohio for the holidays. Typically, the schedule is chock full of social events and many hours in the car as I travel between different friend's homes. Usually by now I would have begun the planning of a few major get togethers, but this year, I'm taking a back seat. I want my time at home to be full of moments to savor, and not keeping an eye on the clock. I also want to cherish my time with those in my life who love me unconditionally, and not fret if I can't see everyone on my list. Quality over quantity.

Slowing down and letting go doesn't mean less happiness and fulfillment. In fact, in this case, I think it can only yield more.

{Image via Pinterest}

Restorative Weekend

It's been hectic recently, in that way that makes me feel a little like Jessie Spano during her studying-for-finals-while-singing-in-Hot-Sundae phase. You know the feeling: there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day, you always feel a little behind on work, and you're complaining more than usual. That's how this past month has been, and I hated that time was whirling by at breakneck speed during my favorite season of the year. 

This weekend, life intervened and caused me to slow down and take it all in. During a weekend where I'd promised I'd spend a little time catching up on my work to-do list,  I came down with the sniffles on Thursday evening. I had no choice but to throw my lofty list of work tasks out the window and invest in feeling more like myself, mentally and physically. 

As we know, I'm really great at the self care that involves taking a nap, watching a marathon of shows on Netflix, and otherwise distracting myself from the stress at hand. But what about engaging in activities that really restore me and make me realize that my life is full... but of beautiful, lovely things and not just emails, deadlines, and decisions. 

So this weekend, I read my friend's little girl a bedtime story and tucked her in. I baked pumpkin chocolate chip bread and shared a loaf as a hostess gift. I ate a bowl of the best chili I've had in a long time. I enjoyed my first eggnog of the season. I had brunch and shopped with some of my favorite lady friends. And I didn't let myself feel guilty for not doing something more productive, because I've got to refill my own well before I have anything to give to others. 

Sunday night, I got out my planner and mapped out my week. Yes, it's going to be a busy one. But because I slowed down this weekend, there is more space in my mind, heart, and life to be able to tackle those pesky administrative items and not be bogged down by them.

{Image via Pinterest}

Favorite Things: October 2012

I'm jumping on the bandwagon and sharing a few of my favorite things this month. I figure since I love reading posts like this, why not create my own? 

The Mindy Project - I don't watch The Office, but fell in love with Mindy when I read her book (Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?) back in December. I felt an instant connection to her humor and love of romantic comedies and was delighted to hear she'd have her own show this fall. Let me tell you, it does not disappoint! Tune in for 30 minutes that feels like a romantic comedy in a tiny package. 

Babel by Mumford & Sons - Oh, how Mumford & Sons sing to my soul. Their first album is still in constant rotation, and this new album has been keeping me sane during long workdays and road trips. My favorite track is "Below My Feet", because the lyrics are so beautiful: Keep the earth below my feet /For all my sweat, my blood runs weak /Let me learn from where I have been /Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn

Bahama Mama nail polish - Though I will never "need" another nail polish, that certainly doesn't stop me from purchasing them. I recently ran across Essie's Bahama Mama shade at my local CVS, and it's actually the perfect maroon color without being too dark or too purple. I'm definitely going to wear it a lot this fall & winter. 

Bubble necklace - I'd been seeing bubble necklaces a lot around Pinterest & blogs, but ran into a beautiful display in person at Eastern Market this past weekend. I snagged this turquoise gem, and have worn it several times since. I love how it makes my striped shirts (of which I have many) a little dressier and part of a pulled together look. 

Wild by Cheryl Stayed - I'm the least outdoorsy person I know, so I wondered if this book, which is about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, would lose my interest with it's backpacking lingo and descriptions of trees. Imagine my surprise when I was taken on an adventure of a woman healing herself after her mother's death and a painful divorce. I highly recommend this book.

What are your favorites this month?

A Fall To-Do List

All this talk about fall got me thinking: what is on my to-do list for my favorite time of year? 

• Bake my mom's apple pie (it was a blue ribbon winner at my hometown's fall festival!)
• Take a picnic lunch and go for a drive/hike on Skyline Drive 
• Finally finish season 2 of Downton Abbey
• Begin "CrockPot Sundays" (self explanatory) 
• Enjoy my current fall wardrobe - no more clothes shopping!
• Go on a camping trip with my beau (nearby bathrooms mandatory)
• Read a classic book I've never read (The Great Gatsby is on tap for my book club)
• Light candles more frequently
• Buy some mini pumpkins and decorate my apartment
• Say goodbye to a few TV shows that I'm not loving any longer (Grey's Anatomy, I'm looking at you...)
• Take a day trip to a few of my favorite Northern Virginia wineries 
• Enjoy a weekend with my dad and stepmom (they'll be here in mid-October - hurray!)

What are you looking forward to this season?

{Image via Pinterest}