The holidays are over and I’m back in Chicago…brrrr! Even with the “fairly simple life” that I lead, I still found myself busy and a little stressed. Christmas presents, packing, planning, baking, etc. It was all worth it by the time I was lying on the sunny beach in Florida, listening to the ocean breeze rustling the palm trees overhead.

It got me thinking about life in the city compared to life in a more laid-back atmosphere, like the beach, or middle-of-nowhere Kansas or (after watching Pride and Prejudice) before modern technology.

You know when you are sick or there’s a blizzard outside and despite the suck-i-ness of either situation, you can still relish the slowness. There are no expectations to check your email, or go get groceries, or go to work. Pop in a movie, read a book, you can sit back and relax. That’s how it should be all the time. I realized that I’ve been getting caught up in the fast-paced life of today.

If I had to make a new year resolution, it would be to take life a little slower. I’m not going to get out my Jane Austen dress (of course I have one—and it’s yellow to boot!) and learn embroider or anything, but I’m definitely going to try to enjoy each day. I’m going to write letters.

I’m going to improve my cooking skills.

I’m going to make a quilt.

I’m going to spend more time outside.

I’m going to read more and facebook less.

I’m going to call an old friend.

I’m going to dance in my kitchen.

I’m going to have a great year.