Hello, 2014

I've been writing a New Year's Day post in my head for the past few days and am all over the board with what to write about. There's a tug to write about something my readers would expect, like New Year's resolutions or intentions. But I haven't really come up with anything specific {yet?}. This could also be one of those posts where I just show you a pretty picture and add a quote and call it good - something inspirational for the new year, you know?

Maybe it's the fact that today marks the twelfth glorious day of my time off from work. Twelve days of calling my own schedule, eating whatever I can get my hands on in the kitchen, staying up late, ignoring my yoga mat, and just plain ol' relaxing. ~sigh~ I needed the relaxing part.

I was lamenting over my choice of habits during my time off, and Doug came back with, "Sounds to me like you've been enjoying your vacation." Yes sir, that sounds about right. Leave it to Douglas to help me look at the bright side.

Kind of like Lucky who, after digging a giant hole, just lazes in the sun next to it - happy and exhausted from enjoying his bad habit.

Carrie asked me the other day what my "One Little Word" is for 2014 and I told her I didn't have one. She asked, "As in 'you haven't decided yet,' or 'you're not choosing one'?" I had to tell her I didn't know. I barely chose one last year, and if I had to pick this year I'd probably choose "meh." I'll admit that I'm beginning this new year with a bit of a cynicism and just plain laziness, if you will. And it's not that I don't care about my life's direction or the need to set some goals, I just think I'm in a place where I'm good with coasting for a while. Just letting some stuff be.

Did you notice in my first photo that my little garden angel has a bird dropping on her head? I'm going to jokingly tell you that's about how I'm feeling these days! And with "meh" as my mantra, I wouldn't even care about that mess on my head.

And I'm feeling antsy, friends. Like I want to shake things up a bit; blog a little differently... more effectively and informatively... maybe less frequently...  Project Life, One Little Word, Just a Quote for Friday, weekend recaps... Are those things still fun for me or are they now {perceived} obligations? See what I mean? My thoughts are all over the board.

What remains consistent is my love for creating stuff and sharing it here on PaperTurtle. My love for photography and writing, and the joy it brings when I can share those things with my blog readers and somehow feel connected even though we live in different cities, states, and countries. Those things keep me coming back to this blog space and blurting out my thoughts. Some may read my words and judge {?} and others might totally relate.

Now, don't you worry, I won't choose "meh" as my one little word for 2014, but it does make me chuckle just a little at the thought. And perhaps that's my lesson in a nutshell. All those things I worry about needlessly? Over-think and lament about? Meh to all of that. Sometimes coasting through life is just what one needs. Let things rest and simmer just a bit...

In the meantime, I'll just be over here doing some sewing for my new baby niece and taking pictures to show you at the end of this month. It's where I find my true joy, and there's nothing meh about that!

Happy New Year, blog friends.

Make it awesome!

♥