Tuesday, January 9, 2024
This month is all about setting ourselves up for our best year yet. It’s not too late to set goals, make changes, and dream big. Let’s use the start of the new year as one giant reset on our lives. Welcome all your in’s. Say goodbye to all your out’s.
As I reflected on yesterday, 2023 was a pivotal year of self-discovery for me, characterized by extensive experimentation. I let go of many things, both physically and mentally. I made changes and sacrifices, in the form of both upgrades and downgrades. I ventured into new territories, faced failures, and celebrated successes. I tapped into my creativity, dedicated myself to learning, and most importantly, I fell in love with myself, the people in my life, and the world around me.
Today, I’d like to focus on the concept of letting go, starting with getting rid of clutter. My move to a different country somewhat forced me into this process, and in hindsight, I’m incredibly grateful for it. The first step was narrowing down my wardrobe. I’ve always struggled with cleaning out my closet, often holding onto items under the belief that ‘I might wear that someday.’ To no ones surprise, I never did. Now, I try to adhere to a simple rule: if I haven’t worn something in a year, it’s likely I don’t need it anymore.
Given the extreme circumstances of my move, I also had to let go of numerous household items. But regardless, it’s worth considering the random clutter and decor that no longer serves a purpose in your home, or those old kitchen utensils that could use an upgrade.
Most significantly, I let go of the literal ‘crap’: those random papers, items in drawers, and boxes that just accumulate over time. Just get rid of it. If you haven’t needed something in a while, chances are you won’t need it in the future.
Sometimes, a change in environment or a simple refresh of our living spaces activates creativity and inspiration that had gone dormant. Not to mention how good it feels to reset the home. I cannot stress enough how comforting it feels to love where I live. I look forward to coming home and I enjoy spending time here. This environment fosters my creativity, inspires me, and most importantly, keeps me cozy.
Mickey and I moved here with 9 suitcases in total. Our entire life fit into 9 pieces of luggage. We initially anticipated renting a furnished apartment, so we didn’t pack many household items. However, we ended up renting an entirely unfurnished four room, two story apartment. It may seem excessive for just two people, and maybe it is, but there’s a story behind this decision, which I’ll share at a later date.
Moving into a blank canvas, which initially seemed daunting, turned out to be an immense blessing. Starting from scratch was not only refreshing but also exciting. We didn’t bring along unnecessary items from previous apartments, outdated clothes, or overused kitchen utensils. We started with nothing. Filling this space has been a gradual process, and while we’re far from finished, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Keep this in mind when you’re thinking about decluttering your own space. Don’t fear getting rid of too much; sometimes having less can be surprisingly liberating.
I also let go of my old lifestyle, a change that was somewhat natural due to the move to a new country, but also a result of my own willingness to embrace it. A major factor in my decision to move to Europe was the lifestyle here. It’s slower, more intentional. People seem to focus on what truly makes them happy. They invest time in relationships, avoid overworking, and value a good meal. To me, Europeans appear to savor life and appreciate the smaller things more deeply.
I understand the European lifestyle isn’t for everyone, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But think about what lifestyle does seem ideal to you? I also understand not everyone is able to move to a new country to develop a new lifestyle. So what changes can you make within your current circumstances to align more closely with your ideal lifestyle?
In shedding my old lifestyle, I also found myself letting go of previous mindsets. Living differently has opened my mind to new perspectives on life and how I want to live it. My primary goal is to relish my life in its entirety. I want to find joy in as much of my every day as possible. So I designed a day that felt enjoyable and fulfilling. Now, I live within that design while continuously seeking to appreciate the simple pleasures of life, without the need for constant indulgence.
These are some adjustments I’ve made to my daily routine to enrich my life:
- I go on a walk (outside!) almost every morning. I walk through my favorite areas of the city and try to explore unfamiliar parts as well. Maybe I’m just in the world’s cutest city, which very well might be possible, but seeing its beauty always fills me with happiness and gratitude. Being outdoors, seeing other people, and feeding off their energy is a great mood booster and motivator.
- Cooking meals I actually enjoy. I don’t force myself to eat “healthy” foods I dislike or that bore me. I’m not saying I always eat extravagantly or unhealthy, I just look for ways to make everything I eat satisfying. Cooking is not just a necessity for me; it’s a passion. I love experimenting with it, getting creative and trying new things.
- Making grocery shopping an experience. Of course I frequent regular grocery stores, but I also shop at markets and bakeries. Something about getting a fresh baguette from an actual bakery rather than the grocery store (outside of the obvious that it tastes better) makes me very happy.
- I keep my living space as cozy as possible. I light candles, play records or listen to music, maintain cleanliness, set mood lighting, use my TV as a fireplace in the absence of a real one, have way too many pillows of my bed, the list goes on.
- Prioritize self-care. After a shower I put on lotion and perfume. I always dress nicely — never sweats — even if I’m staying in. I do my hair, even if it’s just up in a clip, and sometimes a little makeup if I feel ugly. I wear jewelry.
- Then there’s the little things. The random pieces of happiness. Like drinking my espresso from the cute tea cups and saucers I find at antique shops. Setting the dinner table, complete with lit candles. Unwinding with a glass of wine on the couch after a long day. Buying myself fresh flowers at the market. Talking to a friend on the phone. Drinking tea.
I’ve also noticed a significant boost in my confidence, which I attribute to having successfully figured out who I am and where I belong. I feel a strong sense of belonging in my current environment. I’m where I’m meant to be. As crazy as it sounds, in my last year or so in Chicago, I did not feel like I was where I was meant to be. I didn’t feel like I fit there anymore, which hindered my confidence in who I was and what I was doing. Now, I know what I’m doing is making me genuinely happy, and I’m confident in what I’m doing because it’s working.
However, I think one of the most crucial changes I’ve made is relinquishing my previous lack of direction and purpose. For years, I worked aimlessly in my corporate job where I saw no future. I desperately wanted to find a way to express more creativity and share my value with the world. I realized the only way to achieve this was to dive in head first. So, I quit my job. The feeling of relief that washed over me the moment I closed my company laptop for the last time ever was one of the most freeing feelings I have ever felt. At that time, I was in a dark mental place, and that was one of the first steps of digging myself out of that hole.
But that was just the beginning. The next challenge was to determine how to share my value with the world in a way that encompassed more than just my travel experiences. My travel blog, while a significant part of my journey, didn’t seem to capture the full spectrum of what I had to offer. So, in the months that followed, I gave myself the freedom to experiment with various types of content.
In full transparency, this phase was tougher, more frustrating, and more time-consuming than any job I’ve ever done. For months, I felt entirely lost and like a complete failure. I was desperate to discover the most authentic way to express myself and truly connect with my audience.
Then, after much reflection, I realized my true value doesn’t lie in serving what my audience is already seeking. Rather, it’s about providing something they didn’t even know they were missing – something uniquely mine, stemming from my personal story and journey. With this realization, my purpose and direction became crystal clear.
In an effort to find purpose in other aspects of life, Mickey and I decided to take on this monthly cooking challenge. We transformed an everyday activity we both love into something more structured and meaningful, going beyond the basic need to feed ourselves. Through this initiative, we’ve not only added purpose to our routine but also made it a fun and enjoyable part of our day.
We began today with the same breakfast as yesterday: fried eggs, ‘bacon rashers,’ and soda bread. While I enjoy fried eggs, I find them somewhat plain. I’m determined to find a way to make them more exciting while still working within the Irish boundaries. This morning, I experimented by adding red pepper flakes and dill to the eggs. Is that cheating?
For dinner, we experimented with an Irish roasted salmon, accompanied by colcannon. The salmon recipe called for a honey whiskey marinade that didn’t turn out as I hoped. First of all, I didn’t use whiskey. The thought of whiskey makes me want to vomit. But, likely due to the absence of whiskey, the marinade which consisted of honey, lemon, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and thyme, tasted rather vinegary. Despite the recipe suggesting oven baking, I chose to cook the salmon stovetop to caramelize the honey marinade, and this decision turned out wonderfully.
Colcannon is essentially mashed potatoes mixed with either cabbage, spinach, or kale, along with green onion. I opted for kale and was quite satisfied with my choice. With like a pound of extra salt, they actually tasted pretty good. Check back with me after I eat potatoes for 20 more days to see if that statement still holds.
You might have noticed that I don’t often mention lunch. That’s because we typically have two substantial meals a day. We like to intermittent fast, so we eat our first meal anywhere between 11:00am and 1:00pm. On most days we eat breakfast food, while other days we have lunch. We always start our day with a big meal, which usually keeps us pretty full until dinner. And dinner is always a feast.
xo, mikaela
