Well, even though they were both off to a late start, I guess the first day of 2025 is also a bonus blog post day! Happy first Hodgepodge of the year, friends. I'm linking up with Joyce for today's post. I'll jump right in!
1. Oxford's word of the year for 2024 is "brain rot". Are you familiar with this term? Do you suffer from this condition? Ha! This is a term used to 'capture concerns about the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content, especially on social media.' If you were looking for a word to capture 2024 (for the nation/world, not your own life), what word would you choose?
I have heard of this term, and I have actually experienced suffering from that kind of online content. I am alone a lot, as you know, and sometimes I find myself going down these long rabbit holes watching IG reels or TikTok videos. If I had to pick a word to describe 2024, I think I would pick the word "weary" in regards to our outgoing leaders of the United States. I don't share political opinions here ever, but no matter which party you belong to, I think all of us feel the same way after four long and hard years of inflation and political unrest. I don't expect to blink my eyes and have everything be fine and dandy after the new President enters the office, but I am hopeful that at least some things can change for the better, especially regarding wars going on in other countries and also the cost of things. Case in point: I went to pick up some Taco Bell for myself the other night and spent $14 on my food, and y'all, I got one of their "meals". Taco Bell used to be where I went for really cheap food!
(Do not come at me, please, for what I just shared. These are my thoughts and opinions, so even if we disagree, let's just leave it agreeing to disagree and keep things kosher here in this kind community.)
2. It's National Polar Bear Plunge Day today...will you be participating in one of these events, or even one of your own? How will you spend the first day of this brand new year? Do you have a traditional New Year Day's menu?
I didn't participate in one of these, but I want to do this someday! I have read about how in Finland, most of the people that live there have saunas built into their homes; in the winter when it snows, they take a polar plunge into the snow (often in only their birthday suits) and then go thaw out in their indoor sauna. Supposedly there are lots of health benefits to doing this, and then you get the best sleep of your life. I'd love to do that someday! Maybe I'll have the chance to go to Finland someday and participate in that.
Doesn't this look amazing?
Here's how I spent my day: you can read about it in my first blog post of New Year's day. I've never had a traditional menu on this day, but I went to mom's house for dinner and they had made smoked sausage, dumplings, black eyed peas, turnip greens, and cornbread. It was delicious!
3. What's something that brings you joy and how will you do more of it in this new year?
Honestly, I love to read and want to do more of it in this new year. I still read a decent amount of books in 2024, but because of my inability to sit and focus on something for too long, I began a downhill trend when my life changed. I'm hoping to pick up my first love again in 2025! In order for me to read more, I just need to read more, you know? My first inclination is to watch TV instead of reading a book, so I should probably start there.
I also love to sing and prayed for opportunities to do that more as well this year. I sang in choir and on our praise team for years until I started working in the bookstore at church in the fall of 2023. Since then I haven't had many chances to sing, but I'm praying that happens this year. I don't want to waste the talent that God gave me, and I don't mean to sound conceited by saying that, but it's true that if we waste what we've been given, then we may not always have the ability and talent that we did at one time. My pastor and I talked about this one time, and he actually said those very words to me.
4. Do you struggle with the January blues? What's one thing you can/will do to keep them at bay?
I haven't always struggled with this, but I do if it snows and it sticks around for too long. I need to be with people! If I start to struggle with that this month, I will make myself get out and do things. I'm already working on that anyway, but I'll do even more if I feel myself getting down in my mood. I will say that I think I'll enjoy seeing my counselor more this month than I have in others; she will have good ideas for me if I need them, I'm sure.
5. Will you choose your own personal word of the year for 2025? What about a goal, a resolution, or maybe even a bucket list? Elaborate as much or as little as you like.
I've picked words of the year before, but I'm not doing that this year. I'm picking a Bible verse, though! Here's the one that means so much to me right now:
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm writing this on the night of New Year's day. I had dinner with Mom and Bill as I mentioned above, and now I'm home and comfy writing this while I watch a winter themed Hallmark movie. I am over the Christmas ones and have found all the winter ones now. I love them! I did a few things around my house today to be ready to go back to work tomorrow. I caught up on laundry, cleaned the downstairs, and straightened up my bedroom. I will probably work on cleaning my closet tomorrow night after I get off from work; it's kind of a mess right now! I would like to continue on in my streak of de-cluttering, purging, and organizing. I want to work on bookshelves this weekend and get them either donated or dropped off somewhere. Do you follow Emily Ley on Instagram? She has a great January de-clutter challenge; the first day was tackling the junk drawer.
Just a thought if that kind of thing appeals to you! Thanks for reading my bonus blog post today, friends. Love to all!
Jenn 🖤
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