Keep Calm & Carry On
I'm keeping calm this week so that I may carry on into the new year with many big ideas and lots of travel plans... but for now, I'm keeping calm because to think of what 2011 will bring gives me a bit of excitement mixed with lots of "oh my goodness!" feelings that are a little bit scared-y pants too -- mixed with a dash of pinch-me-is-this-real-ness! What a concoction, a real emotional cocktail that is both shaken and stirred.
With a new book due to release the same week as my birthday in March, I absolutely have a lot to carry on with! But at the same time I really want to bask in the glow of doing nothing right now... which I'm doing a lot of this week! Nothing! And it feels so good. I have no schedule, I'm sleeping in, I'm going to bed extremely late, I'm playing silly online games and watching lots of American telly on iTunes along with some movies I've been wanting to see for quite some time. I'm also cleaning and doing laundry and organizing stuff in my home... and flipping through a pile of magazines and bookmarking Spring clothes. But yes, all of that is really a huge pile of "doing nothing in particular" in a way because I've not made out a TO DO list since last Friday and it feels A M A Z I N G to just make things up as I go along each day. Freedom from work feels soooooo nice. I am recharging, I'm feeling like there is some enlightenment on its way to me, and I feel like January is going to be one of "those" months -- it will be busy and chaotic and very cold, and also very uncertain in some ways, but it will be a typical January...
January is always like that isn't it? A bit unsteady, uncertain, a mix of cold temps with sizzling ideas for the year that one is dying to unleash...
And then February will come and go in a bit of a blur as I'll be teaching again online for several weeks and that is always a great deal of work but also a huge soul connecting experience for me... And February is a beautiful time to be working so much indoors because the weather is usually dreadful then so it's a month long period to light candles each day and try to make it over to the sauna nearby... and to work...
And in March, well March is when I will become one year older and when my first book will release in the UK anyway (not in the US until May)... and so I will need to be ready for that -- especially from an emotional standpoint because it's a big leap for me -- and I'm very, very excited about a childhood dream coming true. It took a long time for this moment!
But I don't need to start telling you about each month of next year and what it may bring, because I have vowed that for now I will keep calm and when 2011 rolls around, I will carry on.
Which reminds me, the print above is one that I purchased on Etsy today from French photographer Anne Le Mouellic, who is just the loveliest lady ever (she wrote me the best thank you email today) and so when I hang this in my home I will think of her and of course the reason I bought it... to remind myself that in 2011 I need to Keep Calm and Carry On for it will be a really big year for me and maybe for you, as well.
So tell me, are you keeping calm and enjoy the final few days of 2010? Please do. Don't let the magic that falls between now and December 31st at midnight escape you.
(image: magallerie)
With a new book due to release the same week as my birthday in March, I absolutely have a lot to carry on with! But at the same time I really want to bask in the glow of doing nothing right now... which I'm doing a lot of this week! Nothing! And it feels so good. I have no schedule, I'm sleeping in, I'm going to bed extremely late, I'm playing silly online games and watching lots of American telly on iTunes along with some movies I've been wanting to see for quite some time. I'm also cleaning and doing laundry and organizing stuff in my home... and flipping through a pile of magazines and bookmarking Spring clothes. But yes, all of that is really a huge pile of "doing nothing in particular" in a way because I've not made out a TO DO list since last Friday and it feels A M A Z I N G to just make things up as I go along each day. Freedom from work feels soooooo nice. I am recharging, I'm feeling like there is some enlightenment on its way to me, and I feel like January is going to be one of "those" months -- it will be busy and chaotic and very cold, and also very uncertain in some ways, but it will be a typical January...
January is always like that isn't it? A bit unsteady, uncertain, a mix of cold temps with sizzling ideas for the year that one is dying to unleash...
And then February will come and go in a bit of a blur as I'll be teaching again online for several weeks and that is always a great deal of work but also a huge soul connecting experience for me... And February is a beautiful time to be working so much indoors because the weather is usually dreadful then so it's a month long period to light candles each day and try to make it over to the sauna nearby... and to work...
And in March, well March is when I will become one year older and when my first book will release in the UK anyway (not in the US until May)... and so I will need to be ready for that -- especially from an emotional standpoint because it's a big leap for me -- and I'm very, very excited about a childhood dream coming true. It took a long time for this moment!
But I don't need to start telling you about each month of next year and what it may bring, because I have vowed that for now I will keep calm and when 2011 rolls around, I will carry on.
Which reminds me, the print above is one that I purchased on Etsy today from French photographer Anne Le Mouellic, who is just the loveliest lady ever (she wrote me the best thank you email today) and so when I hang this in my home I will think of her and of course the reason I bought it... to remind myself that in 2011 I need to Keep Calm and Carry On for it will be a really big year for me and maybe for you, as well.
So tell me, are you keeping calm and enjoy the final few days of 2010? Please do. Don't let the magic that falls between now and December 31st at midnight escape you.
(image: magallerie)
Comments
In moments of extreme doubt like these, it helps to check in with my online friends and see that all I want isn't so crazy after all. Your happiness is a reminder that it IS possible.
Hopefully we can go back. Right now we are living in Japan and it's not Europe!
Love your blog!
I moved to a much smaller home a year & a half ago & it took me a full year to get myself in gear with organizing, some grown-up purchases & the like. Since this past Thanksgiving to now I have been especially whirly with donating items I no longer have a use for, purchasing furniture that I want rather than just what I need, upgrading my wardrobe, getting a more uniform storage system for closets & drawers...the list goes on! I have always heard that in order to have more goodness come into your life it needs a (calm) place to do it. The last few years of my life have been full of anxiety, but now I feel that I have a good grip on it & there is plenty of room!
I have never been one for resolutions - change when you need to! - but I do appreciate the new year as a marker to do just that. A couple months ago I began a serious list of all that I want in my life & am taking the necessary steps to get it. That in itself is enough to keep me feeling calm!
(And hello to you! I have been a reader of your blog for a while, but never said "hi". ☺)
Even without a list however, i still have a list.It's in my head, and is overflowing -paint rooms, take down blinds and put up curtains, hang paintings, frame paintings, design downstairs room, sew hay bale covers, sew serviettes, book florist, make up person,get builders quotes...aarggh.
Your keep calm and carry on is apt and timely. Must remember - I have this week OFF!! Relax!
Firstly, A huge congratulations on your Lifetime Dream of publishing a book.
That is honestly so huge! You must be feeling everything right down to your toes....magic,excitement,accomplishment and fear too.
Your book will be very successful,you are very dedicated and talented,Holly.
I'm doing much the same as you in terms of recharging and relaxing without a schedule. Lovely!
My home is under contract and so in late January I'm so excited to move (and redecorate!!!) and blog about something new. I also am turning my etsy shop into a vintage shop only and not doing any more crafts really.
My style has changed~and I am enjoying the growth~which is so much more minimal,natural and simpler.
I'm 53 and have had my 3 wonderful children (one still at homexxx).
But I have a sweet story for you.
Many years ago my Mother and Father were in Germany on vacation.
One night they went up to their room to find the window open and sugar cubes left on the window sill.
The next morning they inquired about it and were told that it was put their so they would have a visit from The Stork.
Adorable Tradition!
:)
Who knows whay 2011 will bring?
Tina
It sounds like you have lots of exciting things planned for 2011, I'm especially excited about your new book and hope that you have lots of new bloggers sign up for your class as I got a lot out of it when I participated this year and still have lots of things I learnt which I am yet to implement - life with a toddler means that things happen that little bit slower sometimes :)
Wishing you all the best for 2011 - may it be a fantastic year for you - Amanda x
Love your new print! I have been eyeing a "Keep Calm" poster for my kitchen. Hoping to incorporate this sentiment into 2011.
Wishing you all the best for the upcoming year. Seems like it is going to be a big one!
I'm glad your enjoying the last few days of 2011. I am relaxing here meeting up with friends and spending time with my loved ones, going to bed early and getting up late like you too. I changed career in 2010 and made the decision to build a home with my boyfriend. 2011 will involve making alot of decisions for my future life, and I am really looking forward to it, however I must continue with work which is going to be hectic this year. You must be so excited about your new book, well done you on achieving your life long dream :) You are an inspiration to us all. I wish you all the happiness, success and health in 2011.
All things nice...
I love it!!!