In just a few days we are going to say goodbye to 2022 and hello to the new year. If you are like me, these last 365 days have tested you, pushed you, blind-sided you, and maybe even lifted you. But the best thing about 2022, if you are sitting there reading this now, the best thing is…you survived! It is another year you survived and now you are being given another chance.
The Old Year
I was talking with a friend recently when I admitted that this year, I have changed in so many ways. The past year, I have experienced extreme highs and lows. From finishing college with my masters and getting a new puppy to losing my dad and my dog within a month of each other. Life tried to throw all it could at me, and I am sitting here today, pushing on to bring my message to the world. I am not the same person I was last year, or the year before. But the thing is, I know I have more to face.
Reflecting
Every year we come to this time when we reflect on the last 365 days and try to come up with ideas of what we can do for the next 365. I don’t like saying the word “resolution” anymore. Because to me, it becomes a high-level expectation with a deadline. What I say each year, is what are my “dreams” for this next year? What are my aspirations that I want to try working on this year? Because life is not done with me, and I am not done with it.
Want for the new year
For so long I forgot what it was like to want something. Drowning under the assumption of not being worthy enough, allowing me to hide away. I was at a point of nearly losing myself to the world. Over the last 14 months, I have broken through, found my path, and began to want again. That is as soon as I figure out what it is I want.
New Chapter
So, when I was talking to this friend, they asked me what my goals for the next year were. I have to admit, I had not thought about it in full detail yet. First, my aspiration for this next year is going to be finding the new job that gets me started in the mental health industry that I want to do. I am finding it a little harder than I expected as I am not licensed in the field. I want to continue focusing on bringing awareness to the world that mental health is vital to a person’s overall health.
Aspiring
As I thought more about it, another aspiration for next year is finding peace within myself. This is a hard one for me. I have been faced with tests of patience and strength all year long. I am just beginning to realize and believe that I am a strong person for being able to continue getting up every morning. I couldn’t tell you how many times I had family and friends ask me throughout the year if I was okay.
Starts with Me
I realized over the last few months that in order for me to find peace and an ounce of happiness, I needed to reflect on my emotions, my actions, and my aspirations. Remember all of those adjectives my friends and family listed about me? (How you see yourself) It is time to start working on believing them. To be strong, driven, resilient, and patient. To feel beautiful, respected, and powerful.
I am about to say goodbye to this year. It has proven to be a steppingstone. Because each day, month, and year, are chances to do something new. Do something different in your life. Remember we are all characters in our books of life. Turn the page. In a few days, start a new chapter. A quote that I found when researching for this post that hit me goes like this. “You can edit a bad page, but you can never edit a blank page.” Let this new year give you the new chance to write the story of your life like no other. Filled with love, support, happiness, and peace.
Enjoy this video.
With great warmth (and a special Happy New Year to all you!)
