Brand new year!

There are a few things that I want to do in order to really start this new year off right… things like setting goals, “spring cleaning” (my physical space, as well as mental and emotional), picking up a few new hobbies... The one that I really am getting excited about now that we are a couple of days in is my goal to work on changing my mindset.

Let me explain.

Thoughts become things, right? And while I have been thinking that most of my thoughts are geared toward healing, strength, power and surviving, I realized over the past few weeks that they are actually more about struggle, pain and difficulty. Sure I may spin it like I am overcoming all of these struggles, but in reality? The struggle is VERY real, and has been a daily thing for over two decades now.

See, that should probably make me feel really down… but (luckily) it doesn’t. Instead, I try to use it to drive myself forward, push on toward my goals, and help me reach further.

So my question is, how do I make the stories that I tell about my life reflect more of how positive I think that is? I know that is not always the message that I am putting out there!

I usually lead off my explanation by saying that “My brain exploded… twice.” (Pause for stunned silence.) By making it into a bit of a joke, it makes it a LOT easier for people to take. Hearing that someone went through all of that medical garbage, especially at such a young age? For many people, that can actually be really quite devastating. So I dumb it down, soften the edges and try not to take it too seriously, because I have found that if people see THAT as my reaction to it, it somehow makes it easier for them to accept it too.

Weird, how we react to things as humans! I am so happy that I was able to take something that would otherwise be really negative, and instead turn it around and make something good out of it.

And that is another one of my new year’s goals – to continue brightening the world and raising the vibration. I LOVE doing that, and it really does make a noticeable difference in the places that I have lived and done this. It starts with just simply smiling at more people. You’ll get into the habit of it, and eventually you’ll be striking up conversations and making new friends everywhere before you know it!

Other goals for this new year include things like perfecting my sourdough game, picking up a new hobby (I want to try something artsy), and getting back into reading more. Yoga and tai-chi every day are now non-negotiable habits that I started many new years eve’s ago, and have kept up ever since. Making sure to keep enough time reserved for just ME (and sometimes my man) is super important and also non-negotiable.

You may notice that nearly all of my goals have to do with self-care and making sure that I feel loved and treated right. And I think that’s perfect! I challenge all of you to take a look at your own goals for this new year – how many are focused on YOU? Pushing the greater good forward is important too, but don’t forget yourself (I used to do that all too often…). I feel pretty good about my goals for the new year, and cannot wait to start tackling the list.

Well everyone, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope that your holidays were merry and bright, and that 2022 starts off with a bang for you.