This day brings with it a lot of expectation. Of who you’ll be and what you’ll do with a new, shiny, possibility-filled year.
I am proud of what this past year brought me. I started this newsletter, my book was published, I wrote my first piece for Down East Mag. I was on the local news, featured on NPR’s Maine Calling. I participated in countless maker’s markets and book signings.
And yet, still. Still there feels like there were missed opportunities - so much more I could have attempted. I seem to narrow my stare towards the unchecked boxes on my goal list as opposed to relishing the strike-throughs and massive completions, all of the undertakings. It’s impossible and supremely uncomfortable to try to live in any amount of pride when there’s always so much more, more, more I can do.
Even so: I will always love a New Years Resolution. Or two, three, a handful. Give me an incomprehensible list of daunting goals, an unrelenting reminder of all I could/should be doing. Even if I know at the end of the year I’ll be there to greet myself with a smidge of discontentment, I just can’t help myself.
I know, sadly, that I often measure my worth in professional accomplishments - but…what if instead this year, I took a moment to celebrate all of the books I managed to read? The hours in which I didn’t look at my phone and completed puzzles with my seven year old? The belly laughs I garnered from my sweet, chunky nephew? The moments of real living - where I was engulfed in the here and now?
I don’t know if I’ll be able to help myself from creating an egregious list of professional goals to tackle for 2024…actually, I’m just going to be honest, I already made one. Listen, I haven’t lied to you yet and I’m not going to start now!
But I’d also like a resolution that doesn’t come with a rule sheet, arbitrary completion numbers, checkmarks to strive for. Where I’ll take zero documentation and where success isn’t measurable. (Just writing that literally gives me shivers - I love a list! Some proof of hard work! Accountability, people!)
I think what I’m probably envisioning is…something like…could it be…being present?
Gasp. An impossible, elusive idea. I’m not hoping for an utterly transformative year of stillness, connection and peace - but I am hoping to find moments. Just moments where I can remind myself to hone back in on the now. To catch myself - rather, encourage myself - to not miss the day-to-day.
I took this totally-revolutionary-no-one-has-ever-strived-for-it-before idea for an early test drive this week at Wolf Cove Inn in Poland, Maine. With my husband and kiddo in tow, we took a one-night getaway (love places that allow a one night stay!) during school vacation week to switch up the routine a bit.
The sweet Inn, featuring 11 guest rooms and 1 gorgeous cabin, sits on Tripp Pond - with most rooms showcasing the twinkling surrounding water. It recently came under new ownership, with Geoff and Nicole Skidmore now at the helm. Transplants from California, they decided to make the jump and become Inn keepers after visiting the property in February - during the arctic blast weekend, no less. If they can love Maine even in it’s subfreezing form, they are going to do just fine.
When we checked in, Geoff and Nicole greeted us and offered our choice of a welcome drink (beer, wine, seltzer, etc.) before receiving a tour of the space. They were bubbly, kind, and so clearly happy to share this space. We only made it a few steps on the tour, however, before my daughter spied the complimentary hot chocolate bar - and we came to a halt while she assembled a chocolate treat.
I watched her eyes widen with every scoop, each pluck of a tiny marshmallow to place on top. I wanted to keep moving to get in some lake time before the rain started, but I managed a smile - and some patience - instead. These young kiddo days - where hot chocolate can elicit that much joy - won’t always be here.
Our room - “Mount Katahdin” - featured an extremely comfortable king sized bed plus a comfy cot made up for our kiddo. We were also treated to lake views, a gas fireplace and a huge jetted spa tub.
And while we didn’t squeeze in a session this time, we bumped into the most perfect place for reflection, a true bring-you-back-to-the-present spot. Recently completed, Wolf Cove Inn now offers access to their Thermowood Panorama Sauna + Alaskan Cold Plunge Tub. With views of the lake from the steamy sauna, I can’t imagine a better place to catch a sunset.
The lounge area and dining room are spacious and bright. The many windows showcase the clear lake and make for the perfect backdrop for some board game playing on a rainy afternoon or while devouring the complimentary, farm-to-table breakfast made each morning for guests.
And in the summer: all kayaks and canoes are free for guests to enjoy the lake with.
When we awoke in the morning, umprompted, each of us grabbed our respective books we packed. Tucked in bed, with freshly brewed coffee on the nightstands, we quietly read for just over an hour as a light rain fell outside. I peered over my book at the hour mark to eye my daughter, watching a look of pride wash over her face as she finished her chapter book. She’s growing up so fast - but man, this new love of reading is probably the greatest development ever. Remember this morning, I pleaded with myself.
I managed a few more truly present seconds throughout our stay, warm little moments with my family of three. I don’t remember them all, or what prompted them.
But, of course, that’s the whole point.
5 more adventures below to help kick off 2024 the right way! ↓↓↓