It’s that time of year again!!
We’re just about to hit the last of 2024s Holidays and then BAM!!
FUCKING NEW YEAR.
I’m going to be honest, I’m not really sure how this happened! The year flew by seemingly faster than any other, although that does seem to keep happening every year.
There’s a huge part of me that’s screaming “I’M NOT READY!!!!” While the other part of me is bouncing up and down with excitement for a new year and a fresh start. And just like every year, this week or so leading up to the New Year I like to take the time to reflect on the last few years or so.
It’s really easy to get caught up in all the planning and goal setting of the New Year, but it’s so incredibly important to look back too.
I have a tendency to focus on all the goals I didn’t achieve, right? I think a lot of us do. But I’m practicing looking at the progress I’ve made instead. I got to be honest, it’s been really fucking hard to make that perspective shift, but I know how much of a difference it can make.
I swear, every year since I’ve gotten clean, it feels like I overcome something I never thought I’d be able to. Even things that still terrify me, they’re no longer just out of the question — they’re just things I haven’t done yet.
When I really think about it, I’ve grown so much and so much has changed. 4 years ago I was on the verge of losing everything I had, my relationship, my home, I had already lost my job, and friendships were limited to other people who were using. I had all these ideas for how to “fix” things, except the one that really mattered. Somehow the thought of getting clean still wasn’t on my radar…
Thinking about the holidays that year breaks my fucking heart. I still don’t understand how we made it through all that shit but we did. I also have to be honest, thinking about that and all the other shit I did back then makes me feel that there is nothing I will ever be able to do to make up for it.
I could stay in that place — that dark mindset that drags me down — OR, I could choose to move forward, staying mindful of the fact that moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting or ignoring the past.
These moments of reflection take a lot of intention. If we want to become the best versions of ourselves, that means as a WHOLE. Every part of us. The good, the bad, and the really fucked up.
I think about all that shit and acknowledge where I’ve come from, while also acknowledging all the work I’ve done to not be that person anymore.
This is the part of building our dream lives that gets really tricky. It’s easy to set goals and plan and make action plans and all that, but if we aren’t taking the time to celebrate what we have accomplished, every achievement will land empty. It will never feel like enough.
Stop for just a second. Take a moment to appreciate all the things you’ve done over the last year, longer if you want to, big and small.
While you’re setting your goals for 2025, dreaming big and hoping hard, remember everything you’ve already done. All the shit you’ve been through and survived.
No matter how big your dreams are for the year or for your life, pull from the strength and resilience you’ve built over the years. Pour all of that into the goals you set for the new year. All of it.
We can do hard things.
We have DONE hard things.
We can build the lives we’ve always dreamed of, and the shit we’ve overcome is proof of that.
Out of everything, remember the important part is the process, progress, whatever —- not the outcome. Once you fall in love with the process of becoming who you want to be, and celebrate all the wins along the way, everything feels a little less hard and a little more worth it.
As you’re setting your goals this year, do so with a little self-compassion, remember to stay consistent with your actions, and allow yourself to pivot when you need to. You can do hard things!!
What are some of the lessons you learned in 2024?
What are your goals for 2025?
Leave a comment and share what’s motivating you to pursue those goals this year!!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.