A few weeks ago our pastor mentioned an idea in passing: What if we looked at our life as a book and assigned each year a unique chapter title? While he continued with his sermon, I mulled over the concept.
Ultimately I decided that in 2024 I’m going to assign each month its own chapter. In January of next year, I’ll compile all the “chapters” and come up with my “book title” for 2024.
Who’s in? I’ll go first!
Chapter One (January 2024) – Steady: Finding Solid Ground After a Year of Drowning
Your turn. How would you label Chapter One (January 2024)?
Header photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Jan Coates
January, 2024. Chapter One “Home is Where the Heart Is” (but all my chapters may have that name)
Elisabeth
Awww. Love it. I feel like a few chapters might wind up being: Heart is Where the Grandbabies Are?
Grateful Kae
I’m not awake enough to think of what mine would be right now, but I LOVE that title for your January!
Elisabeth
Thanks!
Kyria @ Travel Spot
Chapter One: Everything Must Go!
Elisabeth
Love this. Something about January just screams for a good decluttering!
Daria
Chapter One: Rest and Relaxation.
Elisabeth
January is a tough month and definitely calls for focus on rest and relaxation. I know you’ve been sick a lot lately, so hopefully you’re entering February feeling more rested and relaxed <3
Jenny
What a fun idea! Let’s see… January 2024, Chapter One- Highs and Lows. January started off on a high, but then mid-month my post-holiday depression kicked in. As always, I’m glad to move on to February!
Elisabeth
I feel like this could be my title too, Jenny. January is definitely a high/low month. January is just…not my favourite month on the calendar. Though I do think having my Happy Things Friday posts helped buoyed my spirits because I was intentionally keeping an eye open for Happy Things.
Ally Bean
This is a unique approach to keeping a journal, turn each month into a chapter. My January 2024 chapter title would be: Some Months Suck More Than Other Ones [Subtitled: Things Can Only Get Better, Right?]
Elisabeth
That’s the spirit! I think January is a hard month all around (for most people; I realize the “fresh slate” is invigorating for some people).
Onward and upward. Plus, February is a short month, even with the leap year.
NGS
January: It Happened
I mean, that’s fair, right? Onward!
Elisabeth
So fair. Couldn’t say it better myself.
Michelle
Such a fun idea, Elisabeth!
My January chapter is titled… An Unexpected Trip to San Francisco.
I can think of so many different titles, but after not traveling anywhere since 2019, I think that’s the best title!
Let’s hope our February titles are good ones, too!
Elisabeth
Oof. I wish you had a more pleasant (and painless) reason to go to SF, but it does make for an impressive chapter title!
Nicole MacPherson
From Snow To Sunshine! And Then To Fog.
Elisabeth
Love it – especially the sunshine bit. I’m living vicariously through you 🙂
coco
Love your title. If I have to put one for mine: A solid beginning of an expansive year.
Elisabeth
This is great. It’s nice to start January from a good place as it really offers a foundation for the next 11 months.
Beckett @ Birchwood Pie
January: New Year, New Puppy
Elisabeth
Um, love it! Yay for Doggo entering your family.
Kaethe
I love this idea! Not sure what my chapter would be but I’ll be thinking about it! We have a lot of transitions right now with my husband taking a new job that requires a good amount of travel. Very new for us! And my oldest is hearing back from college applications which is just emotional. (We’re also in the deferred by UW-Madison club. Boo!). Transitions—both current and upcoming are hard. But also can be refreshing!
Elisabeth
Transitions are hard. There are periods of waiting which feel…tense and uncertain. Wishing you peace in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty.
And college applications. Where do the years go???!!
Maria
I love your January chapter title. I think mine would be
Chapter 1: postpartum blessings with baby 3
Elisabeth
Awww. This is so sweet. Enjoy those cuddles. Since it’s baby #3 you know they don’t last forever.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Januar 2024 Chapter One: The lost month
I feel like this month was lost. All the momentum and new year energy was sucked out and behind was a shell of dark days, sickness, boredom and restlessness.
Elisabeth
The lost month. That registers with me too. I felt like I floated through January and didn’t really “put down roots” in 2024.
Lisa's Yarns
Chapter one: how to keep your head above water
This is a super fun exercise!
Elisabeth
Thanks! I’ll give a prompt next month, too!
I feel like our titles are a bit similar which doesn’t surprise me <3
San
Oh, what a lovely idea, Elisabeth.
I think my first chapter would be called “Keeping up with routines”.
Elisabeth
Very fitting for January, don’t ya think?
Stephany
January: Settling In to a New Year
Elisabeth
Simple but exactly what we all are doing – I love it!
Elinoora
Chapter One: continue the chaos
And hopefully by March I can put a title like: renovations are finished! Moving on!
Elisabeth
I know how chaotic renovations are; I’m rooting for that March title for you!!!!!
Kate
This is such an intriguing idea! And I *love* your chapter title. So glad that you are coming out on the other side of a very stressful year.
I think my chapter title would be Reconsidering. there will be lots of changes for our family in the upcoming year! (no new babies, but many other good things!)
Elisabeth
Reconsidering…that’s an intriguing (and open-ended) title. I’m excited to follow along <3
Melissa
January: Where did summer go?
We had no really hot days and only a few over thirty and the pattern hasn’t improved much in February.
Elisabeth
I’m still chuckling that JANUARY IS SUMMER to you. We are in the middle of a cold snap with all sorts of snow and summer is but a whisper dream in my mind 🙂