The New Year
Ah, the new year. I don’t know about you, but there have been years where I’ve embraced the newness of turning over the calendar and had endless things to look forward to and I’ve had years where what’s ahead is full of apprehension, worry, and even fear. And that’s just with the expected events. And we all know curveballs can come at us at any time.
I’m not big on New Year resolutions, goals, or words. Rather, I prefer to reflect back on how my life went in the past year. I think of all the things I’ve overcome, handled (sometimes with anything but grace!), or accomplished. I look at big and small wins that I can be proud of and also reflect on what didn’t go so well in order to seek ways to improve. Then I take time to look ahead. I plan out what an “ideal” year would look like and highlight the most important priorities for myself to be moving in the direction of that ideal year, knowing full well that it can get derailed by things beyond my control.
Instead of a resolution, a goal, or a word of the year, what if you just took a few minutes to reflect on all that you’ve survived in 2023? Because if you’re reading this, you DID IT. You survived it. It may not have been easy. In fact, it might have been the absolute hardest, most heart-wrenching, soul-crushing year of your life and it may not be resolved just because we turn over the calendar, but you ARE surviving. You are strong and you are doing it. Celebrate or even just acknowledge that in yourself.
What pockets of joy or peace did you find in 2023? "
As you look ahead to 2024, what can you look forward to? What is coming this year that you know will be a challenge? How can you set yourself up to keep going? Can you finally make that call to have respite support in your home? Can you take just 3-5 minutes to rest and breathe as a transition from one part of your day to another? Can you buy that special flavored coffee you enjoy so much, but rarely treat yourself to? Can you get outside for a walk more often?
Wishing you peace and love in the year to come.
