Today marks an exciting time for many people around the world. It’s the day when many are resolute about reaching their optimal health or kicking that dreadful habit or calling their mothers more often. It’s a new year and the fresh slate is alluring and inviting to say the least.

And of course, I too am privy to a good old fashioned new start. This new year feels extra new to me as I embarked upon a new chapter in my life by moving to Seattle. I’m writing today from my new apartment, in a new city, in the new year. So all this new-ness has me swirling about with excitement for what’s to come and of course somewhat overwhelmed with an seemingly daunting list of goals I’d like to accomplish and things I’d like to change in my life in just a year’s time.

All the while, I realize that life doesn’t really work like that. You can’t just one day wake up and expect it all to change or for you to accomplish all your goals in one foul swoop. It takes time. It’s a process. And perhaps a painful one at that. Yet I trust it’s necessary and good for a life well lived. So I’m giving myself time to cross those things off the list. Time to implement the changes. Time to get settled and to simply exist in the present. Baby steps are in order. It seems manageable that way and honest, really. As much as I want my life, my apartment, my business, my health, my relationships to be all buttoned up and pretty this very instant, well, it’s just not going to happen. Ever. So why delude myself into thinking it is. I’m over that….reaching for an unattainable reality. Done. Not this year, not now. No thanks. This year–this glorious 2013–I want to become evermore connected with my existence. I know that sounds a bit odd, but for so long I feel like I’ve been floating, suspended almost. And I’d really like to get grounded again and to grow and to thrive. Lofty? Perhaps. Necessary? Absolutely.

So with the dawn of a new year, I shall endeavour to embrace all this newness and to take it one step at a time. Day by day. And I trust awesome things are in store. Yup. And with that there will be quite a bit of candor and rawness to be sure. Such is life. You may notice a bit of a shift here on my blog as a result. But if I’m honest, I’m totally bored with where it is now and want to try something different as my life & brand is shifting a bit…not exactly sure what it will look like, but I bet it will be quite different in many ways.

Further, one thing I’ve decided to do by way of establishing routine and such, is to purposefully take a photo each day this month and share it on my Instagram. It’ll sort of be a way to join me as I discover my new city.  Follow @jeffreyshipley if you please and search for the #seattleshipleystyle hashtag to see the series evolve. Fun stuff.

HAPPY NEW YEAR my friends! xoxo, – j.

onward…