Schlumping along into a new year
Yeah…schlumping in a kind of fuzzy gray grump. Trudging through the inevitable New Year’s letdown. 2007 was a hard year in many ways, and in the days leading up to New Year’s there was a gathering feeling that 2008 would be different, easier, better. It may very well prove to be so. But with all that buildup to “a better year ahead,” I guess some small part of me that’s entirely immune to the workings of logic and reason kind of expected the universe to spring open and produce some shiny fantastic Thing of Wonder in the first days of the year, to prove just how very different 2008 would be.
No Thing of Wonder emerged, and here I am feeling all bleak and blah and wanting only to drink too much coffee and eat too many cookies. I am drinking too much coffee, but I am skipping the cookies. (The part of me that is not immune to logic and reason has very reasonably noticed that, though I am still breastfeeding Thumper, my superfast breastfeeding metabolism has slowed back down to a normal rate. No more eating cookies with wild abandon, alas. I must, again, approach the baked goods responsibly. And you care about this because…well…you don’t, do you? I’m rambling. I’m self-indulgent. Meh. And Feh.)
I guess I could tell you about the knitting I’m doing. This is supposed to be a knitting blog, right? I’ll leave that for another day, though. There are gifty kilt hose involved, and another Trilce being worked up in another yarn. And socks. Always with the socks around here.
Meh. And Feh. If the Thing of Wonder doesn’t manifest in the next 24 hours, I swear I’ll put that expectation down and get on with the living of a perfectly normal, unremarkable, good and bad and hard and easy year. Same as any other year.
Or maybe I’ll just put that expectation down right now and get on with it.
Well, bonne et heureuse année!!! And non, it’s not the same as last year. You’ve been “tranported”…to the west coast. Another living style, different “code”, and it will all be ok. Remember, it takes 4 to 5 years to become part of a different environment. It WILL be a good year!!!
Posted by: Carmen
I’m am SO right there with you.
Posted by: Stephanie
I had a great New Year’s Day yoga class (I am superstitious about spending NYD as I would like the rest of the year to progress). We spent a goodly amount of time in a Metta meditation and it set a nice tone for the year (or at least the next few days) to come. It never ceases to amaze me how yoga manages to offer me what I need, when I need it.
(And you care about this because…?)
😉
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Lynn in Tucson
Maybe your expectations were just too high. My theory is the key to happiness is to have low expectations, because then if life sucks, you’re not surprised, and if life is kind of sucky and has some good stuff thrown in, you can be happy and grateful that at least it had some good stuff. Or maybe I just have low expectations because I’m an Eeyore and can’t help it. One of the two. Or maybe it’s not an or. Um. Maybe you should just have a couple of cookies. You’ll probably feel better. (Just don’t have too many. The problem was having too many, right? Just have a couple.)
Posted by: Riin
Schedule yourself something to look forward to!
Posted by: Anne
🙂 my super breast feeding metabolism diminished at month 4 but my appetite did not. i feel ya on that one. makes me want to be done with BFing now!
anyway, back to the point! 2008 is just starting and january is a blah month as it is. i sometimes wonder if new year’s day is more hopeful in the southern hemisphere where it’s summer and lovely.
Posted by: gleek
Well, bonne et heureuse année!!! And non, it’s not the same as last year. You’ve been “tranported”…to the west coast. Another living style, different “code”, and it will all be ok. Remember, it takes 4 to 5 years to become part of a different environment. It WILL be a good year!!!
Posted by: Carmen
I’m am SO right there with you.
Posted by: Stephanie
I had a great New Year’s Day yoga class (I am superstitious about spending NYD as I would like the rest of the year to progress). We spent a goodly amount of time in a Metta meditation and it set a nice tone for the year (or at least the next few days) to come. It never ceases to amaze me how yoga manages to offer me what I need, when I need it.
(And you care about this because…?)
😉
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Lynn in Tucson
Maybe your expectations were just too high. My theory is the key to happiness is to have low expectations, because then if life sucks, you’re not surprised, and if life is kind of sucky and has some good stuff thrown in, you can be happy and grateful that at least it had some good stuff. Or maybe I just have low expectations because I’m an Eeyore and can’t help it. One of the two. Or maybe it’s not an or. Um. Maybe you should just have a couple of cookies. You’ll probably feel better. (Just don’t have too many. The problem was having too many, right? Just have a couple.)
Posted by: Riin
Schedule yourself something to look forward to!
Posted by: Anne
🙂 my super breast feeding metabolism diminished at month 4 but my appetite did not. i feel ya on that one. makes me want to be done with BFing now!
anyway, back to the point! 2008 is just starting and january is a blah month as it is. i sometimes wonder if new year’s day is more hopeful in the southern hemisphere where it’s summer and lovely.
Posted by: gleek
I totally understand. I was sure that 2008 would be better and I started the year with a big fight with my husband. yippeeeee! Now I’m trying to convince myself that a bad beginning doesn’t equal a bad year.
Posted by: kate
Like a good girl, I generally go along with the traditional review-the-last-year-and-make-resolutions-for-the-next-year garbage that goes along with the end of the year–I think about what went well (and not so well) in the last year, and I make resolutions for being a better human in the upcoming year, but in my heart of hearts, I know it’s all crap. (Shock! Horror!!) There’s no magic “anything” that happens at the end of a (culturally constructed) calendar year. Change will come in its own time, when you are ready for it, and when the universe is ready for it. Just keep yourself open for change, and it will happen at the right time for you.
Posted by: Tracy WW
Honestly, this post makes me feel better than the dispatches from utopia. Portland’s the best of the best, but life is still life.
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Mandy
I know EXACTLY what you mean. Hang in there, changes are a’comin’.
Posted by: Aura
The Thing of Wonder is Thumper. See the world through his eyes. He is more and more becoming his own person and soon. Enjoy the wonder of the world of a toddler — the beauty of a bug or just how many things an empty box can be. The Things of Wonder are around you — just be open to them.
Posted by: Diana
Look to the pic you posted on 12-31: now that is a thing of wonder, a wonderful thing! You have a beautiful family in a wonderful home! Enjoy!
Posted by: pattie
I totally understand. I was sure that 2008 would be better and I started the year with a big fight with my husband. yippeeeee! Now I’m trying to convince myself that a bad beginning doesn’t equal a bad year.
Posted by: kate
Like a good girl, I generally go along with the traditional review-the-last-year-and-make-resolutions-for-the-next-year garbage that goes along with the end of the year–I think about what went well (and not so well) in the last year, and I make resolutions for being a better human in the upcoming year, but in my heart of hearts, I know it’s all crap. (Shock! Horror!!) There’s no magic “anything” that happens at the end of a (culturally constructed) calendar year. Change will come in its own time, when you are ready for it, and when the universe is ready for it. Just keep yourself open for change, and it will happen at the right time for you.
Posted by: Tracy WW
Honestly, this post makes me feel better than the dispatches from utopia. Portland’s the best of the best, but life is still life.
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Mandy
I know EXACTLY what you mean. Hang in there, changes are a’comin’.
Posted by: Aura
The Thing of Wonder is Thumper. See the world through his eyes. He is more and more becoming his own person and soon. Enjoy the wonder of the world of a toddler — the beauty of a bug or just how many things an empty box can be. The Things of Wonder are around you — just be open to them.
Posted by: Diana
Look to the pic you posted on 12-31: now that is a thing of wonder, a wonderful thing! You have a beautiful family in a wonderful home! Enjoy!
Posted by: pattie
It’s going to take you a full year to adjust to your new home. That sounds like enough for one year to me.
Posted by: LaurieM
amen.
Posted by: marti
Oh, I’ve missed reading your posts and keeping up with your life. I’m happy and sad and excited and peaceful, for you and all that’s happened to you lately.
Here’s to a 2008 that comes out a bit more on the positive side than 2007, with knitting and family and great neighbors and maybe just a few cookies.
Posted by: Amy
Funny thing, while grocery shopping yesterday I noticed a lot of people looking really glum and grouchy. Must be that others were feeling as bleak and blah as you, cheer up it’s going to be a good year…ciao:)
Posted by: rositta
Go out and buy a bit of yarn to zap the Meh and Feh.
Posted by: LeAnne
Since the holidays are over my husband has gloomy. He has a severe case of post holiday depression. Being an accountant, my work is really picking up so I am too busy to have the blahs!
Posted by: Knittripps
It’s going to take you a full year to adjust to your new home. That sounds like enough for one year to me.
Posted by: LaurieM
amen.
Posted by: marti
Oh, I’ve missed reading your posts and keeping up with your life. I’m happy and sad and excited and peaceful, for you and all that’s happened to you lately.
Here’s to a 2008 that comes out a bit more on the positive side than 2007, with knitting and family and great neighbors and maybe just a few cookies.
Posted by: Amy
Funny thing, while grocery shopping yesterday I noticed a lot of people looking really glum and grouchy. Must be that others were feeling as bleak and blah as you, cheer up it’s going to be a good year…ciao:)
Posted by: rositta
Go out and buy a bit of yarn to zap the Meh and Feh.
Posted by: LeAnne
Since the holidays are over my husband has gloomy. He has a severe case of post holiday depression. Being an accountant, my work is really picking up so I am too busy to have the blahs!
Posted by: Knittripps
I go with the wonder of Thumper – I have no human children (just labbie girls) – but my first real job was working at a daycare. I was never into the babies but even now, 2-4 years olds are amazing (my 7yo grandson is still pretty cool too) – as you discover your new world you’ll compare it to others BUT for Thumper this IS the world!! enjoy!
Posted by: robin
I’ve come to appreciate coffee during the winter months in the PNW. They say it has some kind of “happy effect.” I know the consumption goes way way up just about now…
December hit such a low for me that there is no where to go but up! Wonder might find you yet!
Posted by: Mary
when the weather in utopia starts to change and those beautiful days start to warm and multiple, then the meh and feh shall diminish. january is a weird month, full of the promise of hope in the depth of winter. hang in there and try a tip up to timberline on mt. hood for coffee if you get the chance. always a spirit lifter, the view of that beautiful mountain. smiles your way.
Posted by: mamie
Yeah, the grey fuzzies are pretty easy to catch in January and Feb. You have to pull out all the cozy stops. Break out the crock pot, tea (and um, chamomile with Trader Joe’s peppermint oreo cookies?). And I like to stock up on the bird food and watch the pretty birds hanging around this winter. They liven/color things up.
This is when I knit a lot of scarves. I just want to touch the yarn, not think.
Posted by: Laurie
OH-OH! You have caught yourself the SAD! Seasonal Affected Disorder! This is the disorder that alot of Northwest folks catch starting around fall into the spring time change. You need alot of diversion. Take a class (any class), make an excuse of hosting a party (any theme party, tiny party), attend any party, ANYTHING to divert attention to the winter blues. Take lots of vitamin D, a must for sunshine-deprived body. Take Thumper to kiddie parties, library, swim classes, etc.
Good luck! And stay away from junk food.
Posted by: oyama naku
I go with the wonder of Thumper – I have no human children (just labbie girls) – but my first real job was working at a daycare. I was never into the babies but even now, 2-4 years olds are amazing (my 7yo grandson is still pretty cool too) – as you discover your new world you’ll compare it to others BUT for Thumper this IS the world!! enjoy!
Posted by: robin
I’ve come to appreciate coffee during the winter months in the PNW. They say it has some kind of “happy effect.” I know the consumption goes way way up just about now…
December hit such a low for me that there is no where to go but up! Wonder might find you yet!
Posted by: Mary
when the weather in utopia starts to change and those beautiful days start to warm and multiple, then the meh and feh shall diminish. january is a weird month, full of the promise of hope in the depth of winter. hang in there and try a tip up to timberline on mt. hood for coffee if you get the chance. always a spirit lifter, the view of that beautiful mountain. smiles your way.
Posted by: mamie
Yeah, the grey fuzzies are pretty easy to catch in January and Feb. You have to pull out all the cozy stops. Break out the crock pot, tea (and um, chamomile with Trader Joe’s peppermint oreo cookies?). And I like to stock up on the bird food and watch the pretty birds hanging around this winter. They liven/color things up.
This is when I knit a lot of scarves. I just want to touch the yarn, not think.
Posted by: Laurie
OH-OH! You have caught yourself the SAD! Seasonal Affected Disorder! This is the disorder that alot of Northwest folks catch starting around fall into the spring time change. You need alot of diversion. Take a class (any class), make an excuse of hosting a party (any theme party, tiny party), attend any party, ANYTHING to divert attention to the winter blues. Take lots of vitamin D, a must for sunshine-deprived body. Take Thumper to kiddie parties, library, swim classes, etc.
Good luck! And stay away from junk food.
Posted by: oyama naku