We are about to wrap up another calendar year and enter into a new one. How will you kick off 2023? With meaningless resolutions you won’t stick to? Goals that don’t really resonate with you?
I like to look at the past 12 months and acknowledge the struggles, but extract the lessons and growth that were a result of them. Then I take a look at all the amazing new things that were unearthed, whether meeting new people, creating new experiences, or exploring new places. I like to end my year with more gratitude in my heart and hope for more of the good things that I had in the last 12 months.
Our minds are wired to focus on the negative. So rather than pile up all the shit that happened and label it a horrible year, I choose to flip the switch and focus on the good things that came from it. I would rather attract more of the good so I focus on those moments and feel the feelings associated with them. I let that warm my heart to kick off the coming year.
When we really look at our calendars we realize that there was a lot to be grateful for over the last 365 days. Let’s allow those moments to tug at our hearts and bring smiles to our faces as we ring in a new year. What do you want to create more of? What memorable moments do you want to fill the next 365 days with? How do you want to truly live your life? Who do you want to be? How do you want to grow? How can you love more and add more beauty into life? What minor tweaks can you make to feel happier and more peaceful? What do you need to let go of to move forward?
In reviewing my calendar I am reminded of a camping and climbing trip with friends, a weekend soul retreat in Tucson, a weekend relationship workshop, a trip to Santa Fe, many fun trivia nights, a trip to the city that has become my new home, visiting an old friend in Colorado and taking a day trip to Wyoming, moving myself to Texas and creating a peaceful home, perusing quaint Christmas markets, soulful yoga classes, and a trip to Austin next week. I am also reminded of expensive dental work, car repairs, ghosting from online dating, having to move twice in 5 weeks, and feelings of loneliness and disappointment, but it serves me best to focus on the experiences and memories I created for myself.
I am reminded that I am living my life more fully, and this is how I want to continue to live moving forward. I want to continue to let go of the things that are heavy and hang onto the memories that are lighter and more loving. I want to continue to learn and grow, and challenge myself in new ways. These reminders also show me that I took care of myself and nourished my needs. I strengthened relationships and kept trusting that no matter what happened I would be okay. It shows me that no matter how dark some of my days may be, regardless of how negative my thoughts may become, that I always manage to pull myself back up into the light and add more depth and richness as I am able to.
With each new calendar year, I am reminded of how quickly time truly is ticking by. It is a nonrenewable resource and I want to continue tweaking my life to use my time more wisely to add more joy, fulfillment, awe, excitement and love. Next year will have more trips, more art projects, and dare I declare it, the beginning of a loving relationship with a man. These are not my resolutions; this is how I intend to live my life.
And with that I wish you Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
LYF 💖
REFLECTION: In a notebook or journal, jot down the questions asked earlier in this post (fourth paragraph) and write out your answers.
NOTE: I will be taking a break next week so there won’t be a newsletter for 12/28. Week 16 of 40 Weeks of Inspiration, however, will be posted.