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Friday, December 26, 2014

Regrouping: Why I love the week between Christmas and New Year's Day

As I kissed my husband goodbye as he left for work this morning, I brewed my second cup of coffee with a sigh. 

Here we are, on a Friday, on the day after Christmas, and he has to go to work for one day. 

Humph! 

There should be some sort of law that bridges end of week holidays to the weekend. I guess my head is full of other countries' public holiday sensibilities. 

Ok. Rant over. 


We had a great day shared with family and friends. 
Time with those you love is the best gift of all. 


As a teacher, I don't have to work on the days between Christmas and the New Year.  I know that I am lucky. because not many have this luxury This time off gives me the opportunity to regroup and mentally prepare for my favorite holiday, New Year's Day. 

Whether you're working or not, there are things you can do to transition yourself as the days of 2014 fade into memory.


Reflect on 2014. What brought you smiles? What inspired a desire for change? 
What were your greatest blessings? What do you want to learn more about in the new year?

Think of a word for 2015...something to guide your year...like a trait you would like to harness or a theme to ground your choices. 

And if you're a resolution maker, consider your goals for the new year as you wipe the slate of 2014 clean. 

Think about people who embody traits or lifestyles that you admire and see if there is anything you can glean from these role models. 

How lucky we are that we get a new chance every year to create the life we want. We acknowledge this opportunity annually on January 1st, but really, we have that new chance every day. 

I hope your holidays have been all you have wanted them to be and that you are looking to 2015 with a spirit of eagerness and optimism. 





32 comments:

  1. Oh maybe I *should* do that. I usually make anti-resolutions. My best one was resolving to like whiskey. I never got very far on stopping gasping (it turns out to be kind of reflexive when you have a daredevil toddler). But maybe I SHOULD put some serious thought into 2015. There's so MUCH I want to do, and only 365 days to do whichever I choose.

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    1. Should gives you a little bit of a loophole, which is nice to have. :-) Agreed that that there is much I want to do as well. I hope your 2015 is all you want it to be.

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  2. I love this time too Kelly... it's a great opportunity to reflect back and dream ahead!

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    1. I think that is why it is my favorite holiday, Hilda...so much possibility. Happy dreaming!

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  3. I love this time too! It's calmer, but still festive and full of possibilities! XOXO

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    1. I think that is why it is my favorite holiday, Rebecca...so much possibility. Happy dreaming! xoxo

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  4. I guess teachers think alike...I just posted my blessings and over view of 2014. I also like a little time to regroup and reflect. I think 2015 is going to be significant...so I want to face it with optimism and hopeful expectations. Enjoyed your post!

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by, Pam. I think that is why New Year's Day is my favorite holiday...so much possibility. Happy dreaming, and thank you again for your visit.

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  5. Hi, Kelly.. I try dragging Christmas out as long as I can. I do relate, very much with the new journal, new pages, looking back over the past year and taking stock, so-to-speak. Oddly enough, I, too, set out on a word for my new year! I haven't heard of many people doing this so this was great to relate to. Thank you for sharing your Holiday time with me.
    Theresa

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by, Theresa. I look forward to seeing your word of the year. I have done it for a few years now, and it really can anchor my thinking. Happy holidays to you. And thank you so much for your visit.

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  6. I like Christmas and all, but thinking of the possibilities of a new year is delightful to me.

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    1. I think that is why it is my favorite holiday, Steph...so much possibility. Happy dreaming!

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  7. I love the reflection time too. I always end up a little sad, as we close out the current year, but then I'm happy to know that I get a fresh start on the new one. One of my favorite things to do is go through all of the pictures from the current year. That always brings a smile to my face, and a story to back it up. :-)

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    1. That sounds like a great tradition. Maybe a vision board with pictures of what you would like to accomplish in the next year is a good way to welcome 2015. Thank you so much for stopping by.

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  8. Happy Holidays Kelly! New Years, pretty cool that its your favorite holiday. Love your writing and reflecting idea too, and would love to think of a word of focus for the upcoming year. On my end, I work so very hard at the holidays, planning and preparing, preparing and serving, preparing and cleaning, preparing- I'm exhausted. Happy that others had a meaningful day, but exhausted. I'm grateful for the past year, hope you had a great one, and wishing you a fabulous New Year ahead- may all your dreams come true!

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    1. Happy holidays to you, Peggy. Focus is a great word. It can sharpen your thinking and help with organization. I hope 2015 is all that you want it to be, filled with love, joy, good health and fun for you and all you know and love. Cheers, friend!

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  9. I love that week too and all the reflection. Glad to meet you on the Bloglovin thread at Beyond Your Blog. :)

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  10. I'm a teacher, too, and love having this week off - except I'm sick. Isn't that how teaching goes??? I do most of your 2015 ideas - no resolutions, but do set intentions and dreams for the year. It's interesting to look back at the beginning of 2014, what I was writing, thinking and hoping for. Life always has a way of throwing a few curve balls! Nice to meet you through BYB thread!

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  11. It's nice to meet you too, Jennifer. :-) I hope you're feeling better soon. Happy New Year.

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  12. Happy holidays to you, Peggy. Focus is a great word. It can sharpen your thinking and help with organization. I hope 2015 is all that you want it to be, filled with love, joy, good health and fun for you and all you know and love. Cheers, friend!

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  13. I think that is why it is my favorite holiday, Steph...so much possibility. Happy dreaming!

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  14. I think that is why it is my favorite holiday, Hilda...so much possibility. Happy dreaming!

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  15. Thank you so much for stopping by, Theresa. I look forward to seeing your word of the year. I have done it for a few years now, and it really can anchor my thinking. Happy holidays to you. And thank you so much for your visit.

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  16. Should gives you a little bit of a loophole, which is nice to have. :-) Agreed that that there is much I want to do as well. I hope your 2015 is all you want it to be.

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  17. I think that is why it is my favorite holiday, Rebecca...so much possibility. Happy dreaming! xoxo

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  18. Thank you so much for stopping by, Pam. I think that is why New Year's Day is my favorite holiday...so much possibility. Happy dreaming, and thank you again for your visit.

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  19. That sounds like a great tradition. Maybe a vision board with pictures of what you would like to accomplish in the next year is a good way to welcome 2015. Thank you so much for stopping by.

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  20. I had work the next day too, and oh man that was tough. I have to say 2014 was the best one in a long time. Not sure why I stressed about turning 30 - I have a sense of peace I really didn't have in my 20's, have a great 2015!

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  21. I am luckily off till the 2nd. This reminds me I need to think of some goals for the new year!

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  22. You are lucky. I am still working on my goals and word for 2015. Good luck!

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  23. What a great way to enter your 30s. :-) Love this! And honestly, the 40s are even better. Happy New Year!

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