Looking back, Looking forward

Reflections on 2023:

If you’d told me a year ago that I would quit my teaching job in search of a new career, travel internationally, work out regularly, and start a new educational pathway, I would not have believed you. Yet here I am. I feel like I have grown so much, come into my own person and character. Who I am as an individual has become so much clearer to myself over the past year.

I’ve recently seen many posts about consistency over perfection, and that really speaks to me. Part of the reason setting goals/resolutions like “I will do this thing EVERY DAY” is so unrealistic for me is because I will inevitably miss a day, then beat myself up about it, then think it’s just time to give up. This is something I have worked considerably hard to overcome this year. Yes, I missed a day. That’s okay, get back on the horse. 

This year I also rediscovered a lot of the joy that I had let slip from my life. Joy in everyday moments -- in cooking, in baking, in spending time outside. In communicating with friends and appreciating time with family.

Going into 2024:

There’s progress I’d like to make in 2024. 

I’m ready to begin my new career, for one.

Once that happens, there are other things I’d like to pursue.

There are renovations I would like to be able to do to my house. In the meantime, I do happen to have some cans of paint left over.

I would love to be able to buy our groceries from a local farm rather than the big stores. I want to support the local economy and community, as well as feel good about the source of my food.

I would like to engage in more hobbies, including gardening. Gardening is something I have let slide by in years past, but I really love it.

I would like to travel more. Our trip to Sweden may have given me a little bit of the travel bug.

In lieu of “New Year, New Me,” I have decided that I will go into 2024 with the mindset of keeping my momentum going. Instead of setting resolutions for change, I have chosen a word to be my guide as time passes by.

My word for 2024 is persistence

persistence: the quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult or opposed by other people

I will be persistent in focusing on the things I can control, not the things I cannot. I cannot control the hiring process, but I can continue to follow the application and follow up process. I cannot control what other people do, say, or think, but I can accept them for who they are and control my own actions, words, and thoughts.

I will be persistent with the healthier habits that I started last year. Eating better (less sugar, more nutrients), exercising, and expressing gratitude.

I will be persistent in focusing on the little joys of every day. I’m beyond blessed, and I never want to take that for granted.

I will be persistent in making small changes to my house to make it even more ours. Painting rooms, moving furniture, and coming up with ideas really makes me happy.

I will be persistent in upholding my priorities, drawing boundaries, and fiercely protecting my peace, my time, and my family.

I will be persistent in my willingness to reflect and change course as needed. At first, this may seem at odds with the idea of persistence. I’m not trying to be so persistent as to be bull-headed about the way I go about things. I will, however, continue the things that have worked for me, and that includes being able to evaluate and change directions as needed.

Whether you are welcoming the New Year as a chance to make huge changes or wanting to continue what you’ve started, I wish you all the best!

Also, enjoy one of my favorite pictures from our trip, of Katarina Kyrka.