Cute and it packs money.

The start of a new year brings on all sorts of promises to do better at something or a lot of somethings. Usually it’s the fitness promise and it shows in the packed gym and lasts about a month; I notice this trend because by February, I can get whatever equipment I want again. Finding joy the Maria Kondo way is resurging on Netflix and hence thrift shops are overflowing and flat-style hangers are flying out of Target, the Container Store and from Amazon.

Chinese New Year is February 5^th and it got me thinking differently about setting a New Year’s goal. The Year of the Pig and in particular, this year, is tied to the element Earth and has a special meaning. I learned from an article in my super-local paper, The Lamorinda Weekly, that this is a year to work on relationships and to be frugal.

To me, it’s kind of like a Chinese Hygge. Danish Hygge took America by storm with its simplified living, particularly in the winter months.  A cozy time by the fire, wearing thick, knitted socks surrounded by family and candles or maybe solo with a good book. For Hubby and me, the empty-nester set, it’s doubling up on the couch to watch a movie in comfy sweats and a furry blanket.  Simple. The idea of the Year-of-Pig or Chinese-Zodiac lore influencing our behavior in the same direction as the Danes is amusing and appealing. Hubby is Chinese and we usually celebrate with food and red envelopes of money for the boys. This year, we will extend the “fortune telling” for the year to include snuggling-up and buddying-up.

For my friends, I’d like to invite them over for a hearty soup and a glass of ruby-red wine. Or walk the reservoir and grab a coffee afterward. I think about this kind of thing but I don’t always act on it. Reaching out is a big part of maintaining relationships. Often, the days get too busy to think about friend-dates.  And when a window opens up, it feels rude to book last minute so nothing happens.

I kind of like the idea of a goal being set for me, something fresh. I don’t think there is one Chinese Zodiac fortune that predicts weight loss or organized closets. The Year of the Pig will be my motivation to go beyond the common New Year resolutions and I’m not too late. The Chinese New Year is only just beginning and I’m ready to send a text or simply be with Hubby.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! May your year be rich with friends and family.