I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions – I usually forget what I set out to do, or come up with far too many things to remember. Instead, I’m choosing one little word – pause – and hope to use it as a kind of mantra throughout 2013.
As I was thinking about choosing a word, something I’ve never done before, a few words came to mind – delve, risk, push. But they didn’t seem right. Josh is often amazed by how productive I am, how I’m so busy and active and don’t stop moving. And it’s true – I like to get things done.
I tend to be the type to jump right into projects. I’ve been told I’m a voracious reader, and I get really excited about blog and work possibilities. When I go running, I just go out and run, maybe cool down with a walk for a few minutes, and get right onto the next thing. No stretching, no foam rolling, even though I’d like to and probably should.
I generally think of myself as a Type B person, but I have Type A tendencies. I like to make plans and write down ideas, and I like to keep busy. (But at the same time, I’m not a race-to-the-top kind of person, and I crave my down time hanging out at home.)
Instead of choosing a word like delve or risk, I’m going for the opposite – to pause. Instead of jumping right into everything, I’m going to wait, and reflect and think, then decide. I think part of the appeal of yoga to me is that it forces me to pause, which I think is really healthy. It slows me down. It forces me to sit still. Sometimes I struggle with the meditation part of yoga, but that’s how I know I need it.
So this year, 2013, is my year to pause.
I want to pause before I go running or walking or snowshoeing, to really take in my surroundings.
I want to pause after running to stretch out my body.
I want to pause before I hit “publish” on a blog post, to double check my work.
I want to pause when I wake up each morning, just for a moment, before rushing to check email and blogs.
I want to pause at some points throughout each day, to sit still and appreciate my life, instead of rushing through it.
Happy New Year! Here’s to 2013 – it’s going to be a good one.
I got the idea for one little word from Ali Edwards.
