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Happy 2025, Magpies! I can just feel that this is going to be a good year for us. I’m channeling the energy in Gayle Brandeis’ poem below for us all: just think about all the good things already in motion, already underway, that will come to us.
Now, onto three cleansing exercises to atune us to the new year:
First: The Paths of Desire Exercise. Over Christmas break, my sister and her wife introduced me to the concept of “paths of desire.” Have you ever noticed a well-trampled path through grass even when a sidewalk is not far off? As in — people just naturally want to walk this one way through this one area, and will trod through grass rather than walk on the paved bit because it feels more natural, expeditious, etc? My sister was saying the same principle holds true in organizing and shaping our homes: if we are constantly frustrated by the pile of shoes at the door, why not put the shoe bin or rack there versus spend some portion of every day moving your children’s shoes to their other destination elsewhere in the house? Or if there is a constant clutter of keys and mail on a certain table that feels like a visual eyesore to you, why not find a decorative bowl or bin to place right there, as you are naturally inclined to drop those items in that particular spot? Or maybe your kids leave their bikes in a heap by the front door. Maybe a rack in that area? Or you’re constantly looking for a place to put your tea mug while in the living room. Maybe you need a small cocktail table?
The idea is working with the grain versus against it — accommodating our “paths of desire.” My prompt for you: what areas of your home give you “background noise anxiety”? Is there a more aesthetic solution you could install right in that spot that accommodates your natural inclination to place specific items there? (This might mean moving a laundry bin, finding a pretty paper box to corral “kitchen papers,” purchasing a larger charging station so you can simultaneously charge more technology in one place.)
Second: Suleika Jaouad’s Five Lists. Importing this lovely set of lists wholesale from the brilliant Suleika. Timebox yourself — give yourself two minutes on the timer to jot down the first things that come to mind so that this isn’t over-precious or over-wrought. I found this exercise deeply rewarding. It surfaced worries, and longings, that I hadn’t even known laid just beneath the epilimnion. I was shocked, frankly, at how quickly the answers materialized on the page…! Turns out I have a lot to be proud of, and a lot to rely on, and a lot that I’m hoping to accomplish…! Onward — !
01. What in the last year are you proud of?
02. What did this year leave you yearning for?
03. What’s causing you anxiety?
04. What resources, skills, and practices can you rely on in the coming year?
05. What are your wildest, most harebrained ideas and dreams?
Third: The Petty Frustration Exercise. I wrote about this a few years ago and really need to trot it out again today:
“Sit down for a second and think through your day, hour by hour. What petty frustrations bother you over and over again? Small things like coffee consistently not being hot, or phone running out of battery by 4 p.m., or having to prep your children’s lunch at 10 p.m when you’re ready for bed, or having a charger that is too short for you to use your phone in your bed. Write them out. Then, devise solutions for each. I think you will be surprised at how small grievances can pile up and create a kind of background “noise” that no one needs, and that many of these petty frustrations can be addressed rather simply.”
I shared my own list along with possible solutions a few years ago here, if you’re looking for an example of the kinds of things we can workshop.
What else are you doing to get into a good headspace for 2025?
Post-Scripts.
+My intention for 2024…I think I did OK on this. I do think I was better about being present in whatever I have been doing, but I wasn’t as focused on this specific concept as I had hoped I’d be.
+Reflections on the past year.
+I’m not really big on resolutions, but this is something very specific I’m doing in 2025.
+My other big aspiration is to clip more permanently into my running/Heather Robertson routine! I have been so sporadic with this since September and I always feel like an entirely different woman when I can commit. I feel better in my own skin, my own head, and my own clothes.
Shopping Break.
+My New Year’s gear: a few fresh Appointed notebooks for hand-drafting and note-taking; fresh writing implements (currently loving these fine-point Sharpies and these Japanese ones, these white-out tapes, and these highlighters); and a new day planner. Appointed also sent me this “year task planner,” which is gorgeous, but I need more space on a “day” level for my crazy specific to do lists. I think I might use it to kick off each week — just write my top goals for the week and ONE item I hope to accomplish on each day. I sort of do this already by highlighting ONE THING that must get done on each calendar day.
+I find it’s easier to commit to working out when I have fun new clothes/gear. In the past two weeks, I ordered two new pairs of my favorite leggings, this fitness top (on sale in select colors here), and this Magpie-recommended sports bra. For running, I am ga-ga over my new “open” ear buds from Bose. Safer, more comfortable, I’m not always worrying they will fall out. Truly a gamechanger for me.
+If you do a lot of gym training, these sneakers made a world of difference for me. I didn’t realize that running shoes are specifically made for forward motion but they provide virtually no stability for the ankle if you’re doing side lunges, squats, really any kind of lift down or up. These are lightweight, comfortable, and really hold your ankle in place.
+If you like my Rag & Bone jeans (currently my favorite pair of jeans in my closet) but want something at a lower price point, you might consider these Pistolas! Use JEN15 for 15% off.
+These teddy bear toys are currently on sale — a friend of mine gave to her daughter for Christmas and it was a huge hit. Bigger than they look on screen! Very cute.
+Just discovered bodycare brand Uni. Like Necessaire (their body lotion is an immediate reorder for me – I replenished my unscented one since I felt that it was too much of a commitment to buy one of the scents in the bigger size without knowing if I like it!*), they develop skincare-grade body products. I’m so intrigued by this body serum that people are raving about. But am I reading it right that the product will not ship until August?!
*Maybe this is mildly insane but I’ve been using the Necessaire body lotion first (truly the best base layer – so hydrating) and then finishing with a small amount of Byredo’s Creme in the Blanche scent, which is just the most divine, clean base layer, but is crazy expensive.
+Speaking of, this hair perfume was a bestseller last week. It’s such a splurge but makes your day old hair (or restaurant hair, or airplane hair!) smell divine!
+Two brands that may help if you’re fine-tuning what you eat/drink in the new year: 1) Bardelia is a great resource if you’re doing dry January or trying to cut back on alcohol in general. They just emailed me with a 15% off code – JENSHOOP15. 2) I’ve mentioned this a bunch, by try a few days of Sakara one week this month! I really think it’s a great reset. It wouldn’t be sustainable for me but when I need a week of healthy eating that will require zero preparation / work on my end, this is where I’ll go. (20% off with code JENSHOOP).
+Extra 20% off Hunting Season’s sale items with code EXTRA. This mini bag is perfect.
+I own and adore this unusual caped top – currently 50% off!
My uncle gifted everyone with the 5 minute journal for Christmas with the intention we use it the entire year and, at the end of 2025 look back to see if we’ve changed/what we wrote etc. I like the idea that we’re all going to use them, I could be writing at mine the same time my cousin is many states over. In addition to being a good habit to pick up it makes me feel more connected to family I don’t see as frequently as I would like.
On a more minute level, being better about the grocery list! How is it that there always seems to be something I’ve left off, I assume in the rush to write said list and get out the door I skim more than read a recipe and so forget the bell pepper or the heavy cream or the insert very necessary item. That and finally hanging a little basket by the front door for keys/mail/gloves/chapstick that collects in a little dish on my counter, but that ruins the line of the counter and annoys me every day.
The kitchen papers! Why does this bother me so much? As soon as the pile is cleaned up, a new one appears in its place. It specifically came to mind as I was thinking about your resolution to live more loosely. I love the idea, and yet, it’s hard for me. I have trouble focusing because I am distracted by the visual clutter. Going to think more about a solution. All ideas welcome! Wishing you a very happy new year, Jen!