January 5, 2024

 A great sense of ease comes over me between the days of Christmas and New Year’s eve. I have my kid to thank for that. It was a very moody, greyish,  snowy feel December when he was in grade two. I must have been the only ecstatic parent waiting outside the school grounds for Christmas break. I had so much planned for us…mornings at Christmas markets, fairs, play dates, baking, puzzles…the works! I’m sure my kid heard the urgency in my voice as I was telling him all our holiday plans once we got home as I was rushing around the house making sure everything was in place and ready. As I continued my rambling, he stops me and says, “Listen mom, let’s just stay home…we’ll bake and watch movies and just hang out. I’m a homebody, what can we do!” I was staggered! There I was planning so many activities for him to have fun and my 7 year-old was telling me, in his own way, to slow down. I tried talking him into doing some of the things I had in store for us but it didn’t feel right. I felt like I was forcing it upon him instead of making it fun. So, I went along with my boy’s request and lived in the moment.

It snowed in our city that December, something which rarely happens, bringing most of the city’s Christmas festivities to a halt and a sigh of relief on my end for not having pressured my kid into doing a whole bunch of things he didn’t want. It was one of our most memorable holidays. That Christmas I realised that there’s no need to rush or force things…they somehow lose their value when you do. Slow…that’s where purpose is found, where memories are made and where character is built.

Embracing the easiness and slow of every season this past year remind me of that Christmas. Savouring in the slow, the quietude, the intimate moments filled my cup and gave me much clarity. For me, 2023 was a year of inner work. I’ve found comfort in prayer. I realised that having a teenager changes motherhood and I needed to figure out where my place was. The importance of family and the people who truly love us became more transparent this past year. The fact that life is fragile and it should not be taken for granted also hit home for us, resulting in a drastic perspective shift.

We hear a lot about goals when it comes to the New Year; I like having intentions. My intentions for 2024, I’d like to do a little rebranding within this space and to be more open on a personal and professional stand point.   Although I’m a passionate person, I’ve held myself back for unknown reasons and I finally feel freed from it. I want to hone in more into the Mediterranean ethos since it inspires me greatly and showcase more of life in southern Greece. I’m looking forward to seeing what this year brings!

Happy New Year! Thank you so much for being here!

xxx