While I’m not a big fan of holidays in general (they often feel a little forced to me) I actually love the turning over of the calendar every year – it makes things feel fresh, which is especially needed in winter, even one as sunny and dry as the one we’re currently getting in the Bay Area. That said – how is it 2014 already? (really, can someone please explain to me where exactly last year went?)
2013 was wonderful in a kind of crazy way – I bought a house, moved the business (and myself) into it, started writing a regular column, expanded the team, expanded the business to LA and started driving down there monthly, lived through a six+ week bathroom remodel (in a one bathroom house), celebrated turning 30 by having 75 people to my house for brunch, hosted Thanksgiving for the first time, and planned what will probably be the last big party ever at my parents’ current house (they’re planning on moving in the spring.) Not to mention personally coordinating 26 weddings, throwing big birthday parties for both my best friend and my mom, and somehow maintaining a fairly active social life (if you’re wondering, the thing that gets lost in the schedule is sleep.)
In 2014 I’m hoping to slow down, at least a little bit. More dinner parties and less take-out eaten in front of the computer at 10pm, more coffee in ceramic cups consumed while sitting with people I enjoy and less to-go cups in the car, more walking slowly through neighborhoods and museums and parks and less rushing to back-to-back-to-back appointments, more mornings reading books in bed and less nights answering emails until 2am. I adore my job, and when you love your job and run… slightly towards the high-energy side (ha!), it’s very very easy to slip into workaholism. We have 44 weddings on the books already for 2014 and are taking 50 total this year, and sometimes that makes slowing down feel impossible, but then I remind myself that I have an incredible staff who handle everything given to them beautifully. And that I once did 32 weddings in a year by myself, so 50 between three people is actually really, really manageable. We have so, so many amazing clients this year that I’m pretty much pinching myself constantly – most of the time I can’t believe how lucky I am to get to do work that feels meaningful, keeps me engaged and challenged, and continually connects me to some of the best people (both clients and colleagues) I’ve ever had the pleasure of being around. But I also know that the schedule I’ve been keeping for the last few years isn’t sustainable in the long run, and that if I want to keep adoring my job I need to figure out a way to find some balance. It turns out that I’m not sure that I’m someone who actually likes vacations – after more than 2 or 3 days of not working at all I’m itchy to get back, but I do love half days off, and even whole days here and there, and that occasionally a week or two of a reduced work schedule is lovely (yes, I know how bad it sounds that I essentially just said I rarely take whole days off. It’s true. and I’m working on it!)
We’re kicking weddings things off super early this year with a New Year’s Day wedding (take a look a look my Instagram later today for pictures) and then get another short break before things get busy in February. And, if you’ve been paying attention, then yes! We do still have 30+ weddings from 2013 to blog, and rest assured that Alyssa and I are getting on that stat in the New Year, and I promise not to let it happen again this year…
Wishing you all love and joy and the space to slow down in 2014!
