Something feels different this year. Most years, I approach goal setting as a way to reinvent myself. Most, like myself, probably take this approach because we’ve heard the phrase for so long, “New year, new me!” But for the last three years, I’ve realized that it’s not the new me that I desire. In fact, I long to be more me and embrace every quirk and everything that sets me apart. I’ve been on a journey of undoing, unlearning false beliefs, diving into wellness, and prioritizing what matters most to me: Family, Wellness, Self-Love, and Freedom. And it’s been a bittersweet road back to me.
Here We Go
Last year, I chose, “Here We Go,” as my phrase of the year. I found myself in a pit of worry as we celebrated the new year. I cheered to a mound of unknowns. But as I navigated through the first few months of the year, I challenged myself to do some heavy lifting and purge everything that was keeping me from living my best, wholesome life. And I did it. We did it. My family joined the journey with me and together we went. We chose therapy over generational trauma. We chose fitness over Netflix. We chose financial freedom over immediate gratification. We chose each other. And in that, we gained a whole new perspective on life and the path we want to continue on.
We’ve Just Begun
Here’s the thing, we’ve only just begun. As I welcome the new year, I’m not looking to start over. In fact, my hope is to value the steps I took in 2022 and carry them into the new year and refine a few areas. We as humans are ever-changing. I don’t think the purpose of our lives is to reach a peak and stay there. But I also don’t believe in setting unattainable expectations for ourselves. And truly, I believe the bigger picture is more than just ourselves. If we get stuck in our bubbles, and focus on “new me” for too long, we’ll become blinded to our bigger purpose – those around us, those who love us, and those who need us. If we can only be our best versions of ourselves for ourselves, then what’s the point?
Love Others
Today, while waiting for an oil change, I took some time to get to know the three employees and another customer. We enjoyed small talk and laughed about our ages. Side note: They thought I was 24 but said the minivan gave it away. The older customer told us, “Remember, it’s not about your age. Age is just a number. It’s how you feel. You have to learn to love yourself before you can love others.”
For so long I’ve been on a journey to love myself, and in that, I’ve been able to shift my focus from me and onto them. I gained a confidence in myself this last year greater than ever before. And in that confidence, I’ve learned to love better and be more intentional with my time so that I can be fully present and available to those I love while getting to know others and serve them in seasons of need.
So, what does that mean for 2023? That means we’ve only just begun, and we have a ways to go. And there’s beauty in that journey. My hope for this year is to tend to the work in myself and in my family that I’ve already started. My dream is to get back to our roots – wholesome foods, wholesome time spent with one another, wholesome spending, and wholesome yes’s. I want to shift my focus from me and how I can make myself better to focus on them and how I can leave them feeling better – those who live within the four walls of my home, those outside of my home, and those I have yet to meet.
Just hold on we’ve got a ways to go,
-WILD
Got our whole lives to get it right.
And don’t be scared of feeling wild,
Two kids on the road we’ve only just begun.
We’ve just begun.
We’ve just begun.
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