What’s your ONE thing for 2018? The ONE Thing that will bring your life back into focus? The One thing that will bring your health into focus? The ONE thing that will put your work into focus, without the hustle.
Happy New Year Friends! Goodness gracious doesn’t it feel nice to start fresh? I’m not sure why we need an official NEW YEAR to do so, but hey, whatever works, right?
Before we break into the New Year filled with more healthy recipes, meal plans, and lots of more goodies up my sleeve, I wanted to pause. Those of you who kindly correct my poor grammar, I’m sorry, but this post will be full of grammar faux pas! I’m writing from the heart. That means typos, run on sentences, and slang words are frequent. May I ask for a wee bit of grace? Thanks.
Okay, so moving on by reflecting back. 2017…. Like whoa! It was messy. It was distracted. It was too much hustle and not enough rest. It was a year of painful, yet purposeful, growth.
Professionally, my brand grew a LOT, thanks to you all! At the same time, I learned that my readers are WAY more valuable than any of the diet trends. Your input, feedback, and emails is what makes COTTER CRUNCH what is today! A place of comfort, a good resource (from all those nerdy nutrition tips), a place of gluten free nourishment, and hopefully a place that makes you feel welcomed.
I also wrote a cookbook. And by wrote, I mean I wrote and re-wrote, I cooked and cooked some more. I tested recipes and retested recipes, I photographed all the recipes then decided to reshoot half the bowl recipes. I made my house a mess and just about killed myself slaying it. This was all my doing from the pressure I put on myself. Lesson learned. Growth. Painful GOOD growth.
Hopefully you will see this on the bookshelves in a few months. Phew! But PRE ORDERS are AVAILABLE NOW on amazon. YEA!
Personally, I stunk at life. I didn’t take care of my gut health after colon surgery. I didn’t focus on my marriage or my relationships. I just put my head down and worked worked worked to avoid feeling. Hey, I got stuff done. But life… oh life.. there was none. You all know this from my Behind The Scenes post. Lesson learned. Painful growth. Good growth. A good smack my face wake up call.
Which brings me to today and that quote above (and below).
“IF YOU KNOW ME BASED ON WHO I WAS A YEAR AGO, YOU DON’T KNOW ME AT ALL. MY GROWTH GAME IS STRONG. ALLOW ME TO REINTRODUCE MYSELF.”
I am LINDSAY COTTER, creator of Cotter Crunch Gluten Free Food blog. A wife to an amazingly patient and loving man (aka the Kiwi Cotter). A daughter, aunt, and sister to the most supportive and loving family. Friend to the most encouraging and talented friends.
This year I want to focus on the ONE thing that brings JOY and LAUGHTER to my life, to my work, to my relationships. I’ve been taking a few days (weeks) to really let that message sit and resonate with me, thanks to the book THE ONE THING! It was a much needed REFOCUS!
And you know what? I don’t have the answer to that “refocus” yet, but I do know this…. Perfectionism does not bring joy. Busyness does not bring joy. In fact, both bring the exact opposite. They bring a feeling of scarcity and stress.
Busyness is mental laziness and lack of planning. Define that word for yourself and then never use it in your vocabulary. You can only do one thing at a time, at all times
Busyness is a mental construct revealing how much thinking about, not how much you are doing. – Brooke Castillo
Instead of all the busyness and perfectionism, I want to focus on embracing the mess of life and putting it out in the world. I want to focus on shifting perspective, seeing the BIGGER picture (in life).
And I want to do this alongside sharing my true passions (creating and sharing gluten free recipes, faith, health, photography, etc.). I’m still working my way back to fitness, so just hold tight on that one.
Does all that make sense? Maybe you are nodding your head now and feeling relieved with me. I hope so!
So cheers to the ONE thing in 2018. The ONE Thing that will bring your life and your work into focus.
What is your ONE thing for 2018?
Be back in a few days to share my first recipe of 2018. It’s tasty!
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It’s always 1 step forward 2 steps back, but then sometimes we just need to put all our energy in a big LEAP and then rest. Right?
Hi Lindsay.. A really good article. I’ve been following your blog for a long time. You have excellent writings. I hope you will not leave this way. Can I share this article?
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My last year is unclear and also messy like you say. Therefore, I’ll try to be more myself in the following year, be nice as much as possible and most of all, trying to peace in mind. I think my one thing is Peace.
Love you.
I think my word in 2018 needs to be ME. It feels selfish and yet I know if I put me and my health (mental and physical) first, the rest will follow.
I think your word needs to be Rest. I think if you do that, the rest will follow.
Love you.
i want to be more intentional with my time..and take pause when i need to. happy new year friend!
I’ve made big plans for this year. I wrote about them in my post on 1st January so that I put it out there to make sure I’m focused on it. My one word – “freedom”. Freedom from the shackles of a full time job and career that I’ve had enough of. It’s time to do what I really want to do. I realise you’ve had a very hard year Lindsay, last year. I know you’ll take more time this year for yourself. But you are a very big inspiration to us all! Take care and Happy New Year to you and the Kiwi! 😀
I love that word Neil! And it suits you! Freedom to LIVE life to the fullest. I support you 100%
Love this Lindsay!!!!! You really know how to do it & move forward!!!!! AND that book on Amazon – how exciting!!!
Happy happy NEw Year dear friend!
It’s always 1 step forward 2 steps back, but then sometimes we just need to put all our energy in a big LEAP and then rest. Right?
What a beautiful post!! I love your new photos! You’re so pretty <3 Busyness & perfectionism def. don't bring Joy. Wooooof. My word– Intentional. with my (time. family. relationships. health.)
You got this! <3 you
The book cover looks AMAZING!!! I’m so proud of you, brother. 2017 was a fought one, but 2018… well, it has to be better. Lol!
My word… patience. I have none.
I need patience too. And a pause button
I honestly don’t know what my one word is, but I know I need one. Every bit of this resonated with me. This year was just so much new and crazy stuff. I want a year of focusing on me, my brand and growing my goals.
your brand grew so much and you have helped so many!! Congrats. Rest and recharge for 2018! <3
BALANCE is my One Thing for 2018. Balance in everything. Life, food, fitness, my blog, personal time, parenting. I’m done with the extremes that have made me sick and tired. I’m excited for the new year! I’m excited for you and your book too. I can’t wait to get a copy! Happy New Year!
That’s a great word! I wish you the best of BALANCE in 2018 my friend.