Are you someone who makes a plan for the new year ahead? Is it a reset time of year for you? Or do you treat it like any other day?
I am a bit torn because I do want to say goodbye to 2023 and start fresh with a new year but in the same breath, I don't want to have big unrealistic expectations that can never be met.
When I look back at 2023, I see a mix bag of memories. While some may not be ones to remember, I recognize all of the blessings in my life and choose to focus on them. I have learned a lot about myself in 2023 and I have definitely grown as a person as a result.
I do want to make some improvements when it comes to my mindset, habits and goals so should I lean in and set some personal goals. What does that look like for me? Or do I want to focus on what the results of my goals would look like if I actually did apply them. I do like that concept.
For instance, feeling stronger both physically and mentally because of the strength training classes I invested in. Gaining so much more knowledge from all of the books I am reading. Feeling less stress because I set boundaries and say no more often. Spending more time with loved ones because I spend less time burning the candle at both ends.
Is all that doable? I think if I really want certain aspects in my life to improve, I have to change some things up and step outside my comfort zone. Sometimes it's easier to stay the same instead of making waves by doing things differently.
As we get older, I hope what comes with it is more wisdom. I feel like I have questioned a lot since covid and one of those things is that I really need to pay attention more about what brings me happiness and what doesn't. What brings me energy vs what takes it away. Before responding and reacting, stopping and reflecting first. Embracing change and being open to good things happening to me. Being more present in the moment and less tangled up in the future.
What do you think? What is it you do? Have you had success in the past by setting goals and sticking to them? Or do all of those goals fizzle out as the year ahead throws its curve balls at you?
I also think about becoming a better human any way I can and think that is always a good goal reminder to roll into the new year. With the state of the world, I want to be part of a movement where love and kindness wins over hate and greed. Can just one person making an effort be called a movement? No, but it can be contagious so that would be another goal. Spread kindness wherever you can whenever you can.
Spending time with the right kind of people can also fill your cup. I don't want to just fill my own cup to the brim, but I also want to be able to fill other's cups too.
I spent time with family celebrating Christmas early last night. Since my dad passed, we know his memory lives on through us - especially at Christmas time. I am happy to report that when you do look for it, love is all around - even as far as the heavens above. From young to old, there is a lot of love and I felt it all around me last night. It's a powerful feeling and a hopeful one too. A cup of kindness sure does go a long way in healing and growing the soul. We will continue to carry that goal of family Christmas tradition.
We do not need to drown ourselves in lists of dos and don'ts, right? Sometimes when we do the little things over time, they add up to be the big change that makes the better difference.
While I may want to make a lofty list of all these things I am going to do and accomplish, I overwhelm myself just thinking about it.
So maybe for now, I think of the smaller things I can work on and the results I want to see by setting them.
Focus more about gradually growing stronger character. Taking more responsiblity over my wellness journey so it eventually becomes my lifestyle. And less about major changes all at once and getting discouraged they are not happening fast enough....and then giving up altogether.
Two weeks from tonight, we will make the official countdown from 10 to 0 to ring in the new year. Whatever that looks like for you, I hope you find time between now and then to reflect on what you will bring into the new year and what you will leave behind in 2023.
Please feel free to share with me in the comments if you have any goal setting plans for 2024. I am so interested in learning what this time of year means to you. Do you have NY's resolutions? Or do you even care about them at all? If you have them, what type of resolutions do you hope to list out?
Jules xo
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