Another year is upon us ~
Does anyone else feel like 2018 disappeared in the blink of an eye? As the holiday decorations come down and thank-you cards get mailed, I find myself reflecting on the past year and making space—both physically and mentally—for a fresh start.
Packing away the tree always feels a little bittersweet: sad to see the season go, but also oddly refreshing to clear room for new routines and intentions. This contrast is exactly why I like choosing a guiding word or two for the year rather than making long lists of resolutions that are hard to keep.
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2018 brought many joyful moments for my family, a few big changes, and some tough times too—much like most years. Instead of focusing on a long list of resolutions for 2019, I decided to pick a theme. After some thought, my main words for the year are focus and slow.
I almost stuck with just one word, but both of these are important to me. Focus will help me prioritize the things I want to accomplish—finishing writing recipes, organizing photos, and improving the blog. Slow will remind me to protect my time and energy, to say no when my plate is full, and to savor everyday moments with my family.
Since becoming a mom, I’ve noticed how easy it is to become scattered. There are so many ideas I want to explore—recipes to develop and write up, projects to finish, and experiences to plan with the girls. Interruptions are constant and priorities shift quickly. Choosing focus is my way of creating clearer boundaries so the important work gets done without stealing away the time I want to spend with my family.
Choosing slow helps balance that focus. It’s a reminder not to overload my schedule or feel guilty about saying no. By intentionally doing less, I can give better attention to what I do choose to do. Slowing down also makes space to notice the small, meaningful moments with my daughters and with Mr. Two Sugar Bugs.
To help slow down and capture daily life, I started using a simple mom journal. It asks one short prompt each day, which makes journaling feel manageable and meaningful even on busy days. I also picked up a small daily journal for each of the girls—one of those keepsakes that will turn into conversation starters and a lovely record to revisit over the years.
I’m excited for the year ahead. On the blog, I plan to focus on producing quality content and sharing more recipes. Expect a savory recipe coming later this week—one we make frequently—and more of the baked favorites you’ve asked for, like thick, chewy peanut butter cookies, funfetti cookies, and a healthier breakfast muffin option.
If you pick a word for the year, I’d love to hear it. Do you have a guiding word or a resolution for 2019? Share your intentions in the comments—I find reading other people’s goals so motivating and inspiring.
Here’s to a year of clearer focus, gentler pace, and more time to enjoy the small moments that matter most.