An invitation to sit down the goals and make soup

Shimmer in the fact that you are enough, just as you are.

“I have no goals or ambitions for 2024, not yet. Right now, the only intention I have is to make soup.”

I said that to my husband earlier this week, as we were two in a million traveling back home after being out of state for the holidays. Waiting in line for TSA, I checked my email inbox that was crowded with emails and 2023 recaps, letters of ambition, and hope for 2024 from all the writers and creatives I love. I wish my words could be among them, but I am tired. I’ve been saying “I’m tired” for months, but when looking at everything we have done for the last year, it’s no wonder. I don’t want to claim tiredness as a part of my identity, but it’s made it’s home with me for awhile. I’m trying to feel my way through the seemingly chronic exhaustion and bags under my eyes. How do I handle this? I don’t know yet. But my intuition is telling me to take the start of the new year slow, so that is what I am doing.

While I felt the pressure to “get started,” “do more,” and “go go go!” that is normal for the first week of January, all I have the energy to do is chose a handful of ingredients to make soup. Maybe in the spring when the ground thaws, I will have more ambition to start on projects. But at the moments, I can only chop carrots, celery, onion, kale, and potatoes to stew in my Dutch oven on low. Add in some chickpeas, chicken broth, and a little half + half to simmer for about 20 minutes, and we have a delicious, nutrient dense soup. Once finished, all that is left is to cuddle on the couch with a good movie and a cup of hot cinnamon sunset tea. It’s here that I remind myself that I don’t have to be anything more than this.

If you are like me and you are feeling the pressure to do and be all the things, I hope this serves as an invitation to rest. It’s midwinter, give yourself a moment to shimmer in the fact that you are enough, just as you are, right now.