Starting the New Year Strong

We often place a lot of pressure on ourselves when it comes to getting ready for the new year. It’s often a period of both reflecting on the past and dreaming big for the future. It should be no surprise to anyone to say that 2020 was an unusual one, but the hope for a fresh slate that comes with breaking in the new year should be powerful enough to inspire us to make those changes we’ve been putting off for a while: to write that book that’s been living inside our head; to finally redecorate our bedrooms; to mend and maintain relationships that matter to us.

Though this year may not be the complete reset we were all hoping for, we at Scout are dreaming of a restorative time for all of our beloved readers and customers, and we want to help you plan that reality in every little way that we can! We also hope that you’ve been able to find the time for meaningful rest. Processing the past year is a laborious task that takes place mentally and physically. Our bodies store our emotions, creating stress and tension in sensitive places and it is important to take a holistic approach when tending to our needs. Recharging on a day-to-day basis is a healthy way to prepare yourself during a time of change and uncertainty before you reach a point of exhaustion or burn-out. Connect with yourself to connect with your dreams of the future. We feel that this year is less about resolutions but more about encouraging habits that will set you up for an emotionally balanced year.

With that in mind, join us as we share some of our mental health inspired goals for the new year, along with some Scout product picks to help you find balance in 2021.

Planning for a Good Year

One of the most rewarding things a person can do when faced with the overwhelming thought of a completely new year, and all the things that can be done in that time, is to grab a warm drink, sit down with yourself and start planning ahead. Not in a tedious way, either, but to really sit down, ask yourself what you imagine for yourself in the year ahead and set goals for yourself in order to achieve that vision is a fantastic way to set your own tone for the new year. Here are a few ways in which you can help keep track of these plans and goals with beautiful and inspiring paper goods, including a selection of the beloved Moleskine planners.

2021 PLANNERS AND CALENDARS

For those seeking a bit of motivation in their days, the 2021 Verso Radical Diary and Weekly Planner may be the one for you. This planner offers a weekly view of your life, giving you enough space to keep track of the coming year. With illustrations inspired by events in radical history, such as the English Civil War and Castro's victory march in Havana, this planner reminds us of the bigger picture, as it can be easy to feel discouraged by the stagnancy of everyday lives. Elegantly designed and made to light a fire within its users, this planner is certain to encourage you throughout the year.

For those who may not wish to chronicle our every thought and are looking for a more approachable way to log your plans for the year or simply keep track of the days, a calendar may be all we need to keep us prepared for the unfolding of 2021. For those who are taken by the mystical imagery and teachings of astrology, check out the 2021 Zodiac Calendar from Paper Source, which features 12 gorgeous zodiac signs complete with their characteristics. All of our 2021 calendars and planners are also currently on sale. 

Planning for Self-Care

Energize yourself through slow and meaningful pampering! Set aside a day in the week to truly take care of your physical body as a way of showing gratitude to the vessel that gets us from the beginning of the day to the end.

Sḵwálwen Botanicals, an Indigenous-owned business, has provided us with the perfect product for extra self-love and care throughout the day. Handmade in small batches in Squamish, British Columbia, their best-selling Kalkay Facial Oil is made to leave your skin feeling soft and nourished. Free from harsh chemicals, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic colours and parabens, this oil can also be used for babies’ skin and can be added to a bath for soothing. Take a mindful moment to massage this oil into your skin.

Photo credits: @midnightpaloma and @skwalwenbotanicals

Carving out some time for a soak in the bathtub can also be a gentle way to show your body some care. From releasing muscle tension through warmth to the aromatherapy benefits of essential oils and natural ingredients, time in the tub can be spent practicing calming breathing techniques, meditating, or taking in some of your favourite media. For calm and comfort, lavender, chamomile, and geranium help to soothe and soften skin, calm inflammation, and relieve sore muscles. Midnight Paloma’s Calming Bath Soak offers all three benefits alongside epsom salts for a little extra relief for muscle soreness. If you’re looking for a revitalizing bath, try the Fizzy Bath Soak featuring blood orange, lime, and vanilla, alongside charcoal for a little detoxing power. (Don’t worry, the charcoal won’t stain the tub, so you can really soak in the relaxation without the hassle of some heavy-duty scrubbing afterward.)

Planning for Creativity

Creative activities give us the opportunity to rebuild a conscious relationship with ourselves in times of stress and unease. It also encourages you to try something new as a way to exercise the parts of your mind that may not be activated when running on autopilot. For example, check out this painting and colouring book from Chronicle Books. With outlines from celebrated stationer Linda & Harriett printed on luxe watercolour paper, this book encourages you to get your paints, markers and pencils out of storage to create beautiful works of art using colour and intention. With a sturdy backing board and single-sided removable pages, this book will easily adapt to your needs and can be shared with those around you once you’ve completed your contribution.

Photo credit: @lindaharriet

Early in quarantine, many online trends popped up as folks experimented with hobbies from baking bread to crocheting. More recently, I’ve enjoyed seeing people upload videos of themselves working on miniature house kits. This DIY project will keep you busy as you glue, snip and piece together a study room, kitchen or dreamy flower shop scene. Our selection of miniature house kits may inspire you to energize the physical space around you or at the very least, it will keep your hands busy while you enjoy your favourite TV show or podcast in the background.

Planning for Learning

Creative activities allow us to engage with our inherent curiosity as human beings in an ever-changing world. Self-learning helps us keep the spark alive within us, while also staying aware of the realities outside of our own. It cultivates compassion and care, and can encourage actions in our surrounding communities and structure when we create a disciplined practice around the matters we value. The following are some of our suggestions for topics that will shift your mindset.

FOR LITTLE LEARNERS

Now that our outdoor time is limited due to life during the pandemic, our little ones may be having a difficult time adjusting. Check in with them and encourage their learning with products such as The Little Gardener Book, which is an illustrated guide for parents, grandparents, caregivers and educators who want to help children explore the natural world through gardening. Filled with interactive projects, informative charts and journal prompts, this book will prepare gardeners of all ages for future outdoor adventures.

Photo credits: Illustration by @ysemay.art; photo by @thehappylittlegardener

FOR ANTI-RACISM EDUCATION

At Scout, we carry books that are committed to guiding readers through conversations about anti-blackness, racial stereotypes and cultural appropriation. In 2020, we watched conversations expand about these important and urgent issues. It is necessary to examine how systems of racial inequality manifest in our own lives in order to move towards the world that we imagine for the collective. Any proceeds from our Anti-Racism collection are donated to Nia Centre, a Toronto-based organization that supports, showcases and promotes an appreciation of arts across the African Diaspora. Browse our anti-racism book collection here.

Photo credits: @samanthaleigh and @goodreadsgraceandalice

FOR MEDITATION

Meditation has gained popularity in conversations revolving around self-care and mindfulness in the modern world. Different variations of the practice can tackle lack of awareness, stress and anxiety, or help you get a good night’s rest. There are so many benefits but where does one begin? Invitation to Meditation is a beginner-friendly book that provides answers to questions you may have about meditation. Author Howard Cohn has been practicing since 1972, working closely with teachers of varying ancient traditions. Cohn’s insight and guidance provides a foundation for readers to begin a practice that is well-informed and tailored to the needs of your body. This guidance will set you up to explore the many meditation resources that you can find on the internet so that you can practice from the comfort of your own home.

Photo credit: Tonje Vetleseter

Planning for Outdoor Time

Though the new year is here, we’re not out of the woods yet as far as the weather goes! The cold remains a barrier for those who are hoping to get out of the house and spend some quality time outdoors, whether it be to get some fresh air or get a head start on your workout-related resolutions, you’ll need the right accessories to stay warm in the process. Thankfully, our outerwear is on sale for you to browse!

Northern Watters is a beloved brand that we carry with a wide variety of one-of-a-kind mittens. These mittens are handmade in PEI by grandmothers who use traditional methods to make these special creations from the comfort of their own homes. At Scout, we have a few different colour variations you can choose from in two styles: the bubble mittens and the thrummed mittens, which are hand-knit in the age-old Scottish tradition with a loose-fitting cuff design. Each pair is unique, so feel free to send up an email to see our current selection and we'll do our best to help you find the perfect pair.

Keep warm from head-to-toe with the Montreal-made Diamonds toque from Cokluch! This toque has been a customer favourite year after year. With new fabrics and colours, this season’s line is sure to have a satisfying style for varying taste and you'll find all of our outerwear is currently on sale. 

When the days begin to blur, it can be hard to find the motivation to get fresh air. However, sometimes masking up and bundling up is a necessary step in finding our centre and putting our minds at ease.

Carrying On

Personally, I found myself checking in with myself less as 2020 unfolded. My journal pages were left bare and my mind was full of thoughts that left me feeling exhausted, isolated and disconnected with my emotions. The idea of a new year can feel abstract, but it is also a great way to mark the chapters of our lives so that we can look back and reflect on our growth, our obstacles and our collective strength. Documenting the day-to-day can be an intimidating task but it also creates time for acknowledging how you are feeling so that you can complete the cycle of your emotions and move forward. Treat yourself to a journaling practice this year, documenting moments both big and small. For those who are more open to the spiritual and are interested in a more guided experience, check out our selection of guided tarot and oracle card decks as an alternative and engaging way to self-reflect.

Now more than ever, goal setting can be an intimidating practice. It can set us up to compare ourselves to others and feel discouraged. If resolutions work for you, that’s amazing! However, we also encourage realigning your mindset rather than radically changing what is within. We encourage you to focus on achieving simple things: getting a good night’s rest, checking in with friends consistently or maintaining a healthy water intake.

How are you adjusting to the new year? What did you leave behind in 2020 and hope to cultivate in 2021? Let us know in the comments down below! We would love to hear from you.