Welcome to 2024...
It’s the first day of the year, and as other January 1st have gone, I have felt a fresh sense of optimism, hope, and general newness.
Because I am the kind of person who keeps a running list of goals, dreams, and overall aspirations, I feel less pressure to declare official New Year resolutions.
There’s no “new year, new me” energy. It’s me, I’m the same Vimbo. Soaking in as much joy as possible. Drinking up all of what life has to teach me. Seeking community, cherishing friendship, and absorbing the benefits of prioritizing everyday wellness.
Still, the New Year feels nice and new, like a new pair of comfy sweatpants or a new pair of shoes that feel right from the first wear.
And amongst all of this newness, I have paused to reflect on what has brought me joy in the past twelve months.
So below is a short list of a few things that made me laugh or smile in 2023. These things brought me delight, helped me breathe a little easier, or just helped me soak in the blessings of life.
Life is continually “life-ing,” as the kids say these days…
So, I choose to stop,
and reflect,
and be grateful.
Vimbo's 2023 Delights
1) Eating hard foods: After 797 days of braces and 363 days since my orthognathic surgery, on April 11, I finally had my braces removed. In my entire life, I have been (unknown to me until a few years ago) improvising how I chewed. I thought I just preferred soft food. Well, let me tell you – life after braces has been pretty fantastic.
I had an apple, yes, a simple apple, about a few weeks after braces removal. And it was a whole event. Eating an apple without first slicing it, was heavenly.
The joy. The gratitude.
2) My first pair of Rothy’s flats: I am NOT generally a designer person. I like to get a deal when I can. But the older I get, and the more I do my semi-regular declutter and minimalism sweeps of my closet (ahem, how I spent this entire afternoon), the more I want to invest in quality.
Enter Rothy’s flats.
Extremely comfortable. Machine washable (I already washed them).
They have no break-in period at all. They are comfortable from your first wear!
Like a hug for your feet.
3) Hosting Friends: I am incredibly grateful to have married someone who enjoys hosting people as much as I do.
I am in a season of my life where I deeply crave community.
Hosting and bringing people together is one way that I get to fill my social cup.
I love people. I love large groups of people.
And in 2024, I hope we’re able to bring more people into our home!
4) Embracing Reasons to Celebrate:
This December, two years after it happened, my husband and I went to dinner and the Beyonce concert movie to celebrate my getting my Master’s degree.
In May, I celebrated my last day of school with my kiddos by having them decorate a white dress of mine with their drawings.
I got a sparkly dress to attend my friend’s wedding! Celebrating brought me joy this year.
Life can be sweet, it can be hard.
If there’s anything that brings you joy, anything that you can be grateful for,
I encourage you to lean into that.
Love & Joy,
Vimbo
