January 1 brought a flood of blogger’s New Years Resolutions posts to my google feed reader. While I suppose I admire everybody’s new found optimism, I think January just isnt the best month for me to be making commitments. In fact, I gave myself permission to have some gilt-free time away from my ever present to-do list. Americans have less vacation time than most of our counterparts around the world. This makes me both sad and grateful to have the ability to give myself time off when I need it.

Graph of required time off for full time workers around the world

We had a fabulous Christmas and New Years holiday season. We visited with friends, ate delicious food and had great conversations. But even all that fun can take a toll on your energy levels. Especially if you are more of an introvert like me. As the end of the year approached rapidly, I was feeling the pressure of my list of things that ‘have to get done’, ‘need to get done’ and ‘I want to get done’.

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So I gave myself permission to take some time off from the ‘need to get done’ category and focused instead on taking just enough time to accomplish my MUST GET DONE items. And then let myself choose how to spend the rest of my time, allowing myself the grace of doing whatever I want to do. Some of this came in the form of laying in bed in the morning and daydreaming about the future. I read a few books for the pure joy if it. I also found myself being productive in some areas that have been pushed aside for a while. Like making our “Yes, I want Luck Photography to Photograph my Wedding!” Wedding Photography Inquiry Questionnaire available online to make it easy for brides (and grooms!) to contact us about photographing their wedding.

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The day After New years I woke with a sore throat. So my little mid-winter rest was extended as I spent the week convalescing on the couch.

So that’s what I’ve been doing. Dreaming, reading, resting, creating, improving and recuperating.