Hello Readers!
The new year is approaching swiftly, and I've been spending every day thinking about how I want to spend it. Since I won't be making videos, that will free up a lot of my time! And I've been thinking about what I want to fill that time with.
We've talked a lot about the importance of hobbies in my videos and on this blog, but in truth, I haven't given them as much time as I truly wanted to. This is part of my issue with life online - you spend more time talking about the things you want to do, instead of actually doing them.
So this year, I'm determined to actually pick up new skills and pick back up old skills, and spend intentional time doing them. Here are some of the hobbies I want to do in 2024.
Writing Letters with Vintage Postage
I've decided that I want to begin writing more letters to friends and family throughout the year. It's nice to receive a holiday card every December, and to send one out - but what about the rest of the year!?
I think it could be so cute to send out seasonal letters and cards to my friends and family, checking in on them, letting them know I'm thinking of them, and updating them on what's going on in our lives.
So often, my mom will come to me and say, "Give this family member a call! They were asking about you!" And all it is, is that they want to stay connected to me and what's going on in my life. This would be a fun, and creative way to stay in touch with everyone and bring back a little tradition and old fashioned letter writing.
And I've recently gone down the vintage postage rabbit hole on Etsy and I'm in love. Such a beautiful way to send letters and include some art and creativity in an otherwise pretty blah activity.
Start or Join a Book Club
Over the years, I've mentioned my love for reading and recommended various books that I have enjoyed. And now, I want to turn my love for reading into an excuse to gather with girlfriends.
In fact, I've already started chatting with one of my best friend's about starting one together, and we're both so excited! Already talking about what books we'd want to read and how often we'd meet.
I think book clubs are a great way to have an excuse to see your friends once a month, and they hold you accountable for starting and finishing the books you pick up! If you're anything like me, I have an entire library of books that I have picked up at bookstores over the years that sit dormant on the shelf! Not only do I want to join a book club this year, but I also have a goal of reading one book every month!
Here's a list of a few of the books I want to read in 2024:
Sewing
This is it y'all. This is the year I start sewing. My first project is bread bowl covers and I WILL succeed.
Every year, I tell myself I will start sewing and I never do. It's always been so intimidating to me, but no more! I don't necessarily want to to start sewing my own clothes or anything, but I do want to be able to make little gifts, home goods, etc. And I want to be able to follow a simple pattern.
So if any of you have any tips on where to start with sewing, please please please share them in the comments!
Party Planning/Hosting
I don't really know if this counts as a hobby, but I'm including it because it's something I want to do more in the New Year.
This December was the month of hosting for me. I hosted a Cookie Decorating Party and a friend's Delayed Quinceanera. Both of which got rave reviews and were so much fun!
This year, I want to host even more dinners, events and gatherings to bring my friends
together and have fun. Starting off strong in February with a Valentine's Day Book Swap, then A Summer Solstice Garden Party, A Masquerade Halloween Bash?, and ending with another Christmas Cookie Party.
Plus it's an excuse to go thrifting and find some cute glassware that I can use to serve drinks and goodies!
We'll see if I actually accomplish this but I definitely have big plans!
Traveling More
I'm not a huge travel junkie, but I would really love to reconnect to the part of myself that was more adventurous, in the New Year.
Before the pandemic, in my early 20s, I was really starting to become someone that I was proud of. I had all but squashed my fear of flying and jetted off to Australia, Honduras, Panama, & Vancouver! I had always dreamed of seeing far off places, and I finally accomplished it.
But after the pandemic, my anxieties and fears around travel came back, and after losing touch with friends I had before the pandemic, not only was I afraid to go anywhere, but I had no one to go with.
In 2024, I'm determined to plan and go on trips with my husband AND my friends. My husband and I do pretty much everything together. And while there's nothing wrong with that, I do think it's important to retain female friendships and a life outside of marriage.
I've already got one trip semi-planned in March with my sister in law and baby niece, and I'm so excited! A drive up the coast, a stay on the beach at a cute airbnb and quality time with my family. In fact, we decided that we want to make it a tradition, and take a selfie with my niece every year on our girl's weekend - and then put all the selfies in a collage on a blanket to give to her when she goes off to college. It'll be so sweet, and so much fun!
Another friend and I were talking about how fun it could be to do an East Coast trip to Maine! Try the Maine lobster, go on a boat, visit nautical themed gift shops. I'm not sure if we'll get to do it this year, since it's her wedding year, but if we can, I definitely want to.
Floral and Interior Design
Towards the end of 2023, I started thinking about the other passions I have. Two of which are floral design and interior design.
One of the things I loved so much about Fancy Cottage, was the opportunity to design the space exactly the way I wanted. Growing up, I would paint my room different colors all the time, move my furniture around, and try different crafts I saw on Pinterest or Tumblr to make the space feel like my own. In the New Year, I want to step more into the world of Interior Design and architecture, and learn more about how to create a beautiful and functional space.
In the last few years, I've gotten really into floral design, and it's been so much fun to go to flower shops or the wholesale flower market and pick out flowers to create a beautiful arrangement for the home. I even started taking a Master Class in Floral Design online that I will finish in the New Year.
Well loves, there you have it! Some of my big plans for living more intentionally and enjoying life more in 2024. Comment below some of your plans for the New Year, and what hobbies you hope to start.
Thanks for reading!
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