Curating 2021

Towards the end of November, I took a screenshot of one of those graphics that change at the speed of light to reveal something.

They are technically called a “which are you filter” and the one I snagged a photo of was meant to unveil what my focus for the new year should be.

The winner:

CURATE

Curate is a transitive verb meaning “to act as one who has the care and superintendence of something; one in charge of a museum, zoo, or other place of exhibit; to pull together, sift through, or select”

At first I was a little bummed that it wasn’t a word declaring a characteristic I need to strengthen such as servitude, kindness, or consideration.

But the more I thought about the word “curate” and the concept of “pulling together” I realized this is actually the perfect word for me right now.

When I think about how I want 2021 to look and feel, when I deliberate on what I want to be doing this year, I immediately feel the need to slow down to accomplish more.

And let’s be honest here, a life in college football has a few similarities to the chaos of a zoo!

I often feel that I am a hamster on a wheel, frantically in motion but not able to pinpoint where I spend all my energy and making little impact to show for my efforts at the end of the day, the week, the month, and even the year.

There are so many hats I love to wear, that I find myself not finishing nor making a difference in any one of those roles.

This is something I have been struggling with for a while, and after this constant need to add, add, add for the last several years, all of a sudden I am called to do less in order to live more…

MORE PRESENTLY, MORE PEACEFULLY

When I listed what I want to be doing throughout 2021, I came up with these few things:

• Be with my family
• Read, write, and sew
• Stay active

That’s it.

So, “curate” is the perfect word because it reminds me that I am in charge of my time. I must sift through the endless distractions that the world provides. It is my job to select what is important enough to include in my life.

It’s time to simplify and scale down. Log off and unplug. Be still and know.

Moving through this new year, my motto is going to be a truth that it has taken me 46 years to understand:

An overfull life is not necessarily complete, and a complete life does not have to be overfull.

Wish me luck – change may be good, but it is rarely easy!

Happy New Year, friends…

With love and hugs,

Ashli

PS: I’d love to hear about your New Year’s Resolutions, goals, and focus words for 2021, too!