2023 was a dream year for me: beautiful, joyful, adventure and connection filled, to name a few. It was a time of discovery and wanderlust. All of these previous words that were on my vision board I made exactly a year ago. What a blessing to reflect and see it come true.
As often as I share about my feelings, I honestly prefer to press send when my less idealized stories have been wrapped with a bow. When the mess has been cleaned - or mostly cleared - and a sign from the universe reminds me of something precious about this life.
My reality is that I am in the middle of a few things. Things that are a part of my story and not yet figured out. Things I’ve been working towards and praying for that are inching towards resolve.
Have you ever ordered a fragile item online that arrives in a damaged box? You feel that immediate disappointment only to open it and realize that your precious item is actually safe. Or you open an impeccably wrapped item to find that the components inside are slightly damaged, or worse, completely shattered.
You are the box, the vessel that holds everything that has happened to you in your life, and in 2023. Some parts of this past year you may want to hide or tuck away. You can choose to do that. You might want to shove a broken non-returnable object in a corner and wait a few months or years until you decide to superglue it back together. You might choose to throw a damaged item away and never look at it again. Or you might choose to deal with the situation today and tomorrow and in the months ahead. On your own, or with a support team, to patiently piece together what was once broken.
You are the only one who actually knows what you went through in 2023. Is it possible that the severed components are also a gift?
I have been challenging my individual therapy clients to not only dwell on the demands of 2023 but to also find at least one memory from each month that they feel proud of.
Look at photos, open your calendar, and reflect on something that went well each month of this past year. It does not discredit all that you triumphantly overcame.
I have been repeating, “new year, same me” to myself over the past week or so. Because in between today and tomorrow I will be the same. (You will be the same). New year, same me still includes my thirst for growth. It also still includes my ongoing desire to “just be.”
Take care of yourself in all the ways you already know how to do as we head into 2024…
xoxo,
Amanda
PS In case no one told you today, I love you.
PPS For someone who beats to her own drum, it is peculiar to acknowledge that so much of my 2024 is already planned. This feels… different. Friends and family have special events I’ll be flying across the country for. I’ll be leading the We All Feel Retreat to Portugal in July!!! The Monday evening We All Feel Women’s Support Group will continue for another round.
I’m excited for the journey and more grateful than ever to have you reading along, joining me on it. Send a reply or leave a comment if it’s been a while, if you have a 2023 reflection to share, or an intention for the year ahead.