In my last Experience2014 post, I revealed my word for 2015: celebrate.
I wrote that word down on July 15th, 2014 - while I was sitting at my desk, feeling completely overwhelmed with how fast my freelance business was growing.
I love being busy and I love being in business for myself, but I hadn't expected this kind of growth. Talk about growing pains!
Of course I didn't write "celebrate" down at that time, because that's what I felt like. I wrote it down, because I promised myself that I would take charge (after all, it's my business!) and handle the situation like a boss. I knew that once I'd have all my ducks in a row and would feel like I've set my direction and know where I want to take my business, I would feel like celebrating.
And guess what - feel like celebrating I do.
Celebrating has a lot to do with gratitude - at least for me - and I plan on doing lots of it this year. Being grateful, appreciating the opportunities I have, seizing the moment and going for it, just *really* going for it, all in. All a celebration.
Celebrating gives ordinary things extraordinary meaning.
For my first celebration of 2015, I've cancelled Christmas. Really. I've cancelled Christmas 2015. At least the part with the presents. Even though Christmas was always one of my favourite holidays, it's lost its meaning for me. While I still love the lights (and will probably decorate my house again), I am not religious in any way and don't celebrate Christmas as the religious holiday it is. I am absolutely sick of the commercialism surrounding this time of year and my kids are not little anymore. Next Christmas, I actually hope to be somewhere warm and vacation with my family, and I won't be lugging heavy presents along.
So - accompanied with lots of eye rolling from my husband, and exclamations of "your mother has one of her great ideas again" - I have told my kids that the Christmas shit show is cancelled.
How is that a celebration? Well, instead of buying a bunch of stuff in December, or giving them money, I want to buy presents for my kids throughout the year. Seriously. Very often, I would see something I know they'd love, or they would have a wish, but I would not buy it, because I'm waiting for a special occasion. Why wait? Why not make it a special occasion, when the time is right and the opportunity presents itself?
I created and sent my kids a Google spreadsheet (I know, I'm so 2015), where they can keep a wish list. I already have a few ideas of my own, and I'm looking forward to many small celebrations with them.
That's the first celebration update. Throughout the year, I will share my celebrations with you. I want to be all in - and I hope you join me!