As I sip my morning tea, watching the sunrise cast everything in golden light, I’m filled with gratitude for another year passed. Some chapters brought profound joy and others, heart-wrenching challenges. But looking back, each season held lessons that guided my journey towards wholeness.
This year I turned 35, and it seemed a fitting milestone to pause and reflect on all I’ve learned, realized, and overcome recently. While still a work in progress, I can see how even painful struggles ultimately served my growth.
Taking the Leap into My Calling
A few years ago, I left behind a lifeless corporate career to follow my calling of uplifting others through life coaching and writing. Though financially risky, I knew I had to listen to that inner voice urging me to share my gifts.
After months learning to build my own website and content strategy, I finally launched my blogging business this year. Hitting “publish” on that first vulnerable post required immense courage but sharing my story with the world has brought immense fulfillment.
Finally launching my blogging business was a huge leap of faith
Staying committed to this calling hasn’t always been easy. Building an audience from scratch and learning marketing felt daunting. But remembering how drained I felt in corporate life keeps me resolute even through uncertainty.
Facing Self-Doubt and Learning New Skills
After the initial thrill of launching my blog wore off, crippling self-doubt crept in. I obsessed over stats, convinced no one would relate to my message.
But gradually I found courage to show up authentically. I invested in courses on social media and content creation. Though still learning, interacting with my small but mighty community makes every effort worthwhile.
Putting myself out there remains scary at times. But growth lives outside my comfort zone. And with each new skill I gain, I feel more empowered to turn my calling into a career that makes a difference.
Prioritizing Presence with Family
In chasing career success, I used to miss out on precious family time always being glued to a screen. But this year I made being emotionally present for my 2 beautiful daughters a priority.
We cook meals together dancing to music in the kitchen. I cheer them on at ballet recitals and games instead of just hearing about them after. Bedtime now means snuggling while reading versus trying to get in just a little more work.
Choosing presence allows me to witness their breathtaking growth. No promotion compares to my little one writing her name for the first time or hearing my eldest share she wants to be an astronaut.
Making memories with my girls that I’ll treasure forever.
I still have to set clear boundaries around work and be vigilant about distraction. But authentic connection with loved ones brings me infinitely more joy than any of my professional accomplishments ever could.
Overcoming Perfectionism
I used to be crippled by perfectionism that kept me from sharing my work publicly or trying new challenges. This year I made progress releasing that by practicing self-compassion.
I wrote affirmations to counter my inner critic and celebrated small acts of courage like hitting publish on an article. Instead of beating myself up over mistakes, I reflected on them as opportunities to improve.
While perfectionism still occasionally creeps up, I’ve found power in being vulnerable and embracing imperfection. Creativity flows freely once again.
Positive affirmations help me show myself kindness
Creating Healthy Boundaries
As an empathic people-pleaser, I used to say yes to every request until I burned out trying to meet everyone’s expectations.
But this year I learned how to set boundaries in a loving yet firm way. I now block off me-time in my calendar, delegate when my plate is full, and give myself permission to say no without guilt.
The sky didn’t come crashing down when I politely declined joining the board of a nonprofit I care about. And when I stopped checking emails after dinner, I had more energy to be fully present with my family.
Healthy boundaries actually allow me to give more fully of my gifts instead of depleting myself. I wish I had realized that sooner!
Turning Towards Nature
Though I live nestled between canyons and forest, busy-ness often distracted me from nature’s restorative magic.
But this year I made reconnecting with the natural world a priority. I take prayerful walks among towering pines, watch in wonder as seasons change, and find calm listening to leaves rustling on breeze.
Tuning into the healing power of nature centers me.
Time among trees and up on mountain trails dissolves my worries entirely. I return home renewed, problems feeling lighter after even short nature escapes.
I’m reminded of life’s simple yet profound joys that get buried under my perpetual to-do lists. Nature mirrors back timeless wisdom if I just pause to listen.
Volunteering in Community
Though I’ve donated to causes close to my heart for years, I had little hands-on involvement with organizations doing good locally.
But getting out from behind my computer to volunteer with food banks, women’s shelters, urban farms, and more fed my spirit this year. Banding together to help others through simple acts of service left me feeling part of something greater than myself.
I plan to continue contributing however I can, even just a few hours a month. Serving face-to-face powerfully combats disconnection and isolation. Together, we can lift up those who need it most.
Embracing Meditation’s Gifts
I dabbled in meditation before but could never seem to stick with it consistently until this year. Now I treasure my morning sit, listening to birdsong as the neighborhood wakes.
Regular practice has reduced my anxiety tremendously and unlocked wells of inner calm and insight I didn’t know existed. I respond to challenges with more wisdom and equanimity.
My morning meditation ushers in the day with clarity and calm
I still have days when I resist sitting, my mind convincing me I’m too busy. But without fail, I feel more focused and serene on days I make time to go inward, however short the session.
Finding Spiritual Community
Though I consider myself spiritual, for years I avoided joining any sort of organized community. I judged it hypocritical and confining.
Gathering with others for songs, lessons, and prayers grounded me through rocky seasons. I discovered power in showing up authentically among kindred souls. The connections nourished parts of me starving in silence.
Releasing Comparison
From lifestyle to parenting styles, I wasted so much time comparing myself to others rather than appreciating my unique path. But this year I worked to release comparison’s stronghold.
Everyone faces struggles behind closed doors. I focused on pouring my gifts out generously instead of judging how my path looked next to friends’. Suddenly what others think lost importance, freeing me to live from my heart.
Infusing Gratitude In Moments
Gratitude sometimes felt like another item on my check list before. But after life unexpectedly pulling the rug out a few times recently, I finally embraced gratitude as a lifeline.
Now I pause frequently to name blessings, reflecting on how easily things could be different. Feeling my kids’ arms wrapped around me in a hug, sunlight on my face, my elderly dad’s laugh over the phone.
Small moments of beauty that once slipped by unnoticed now elicit overpowering waves of gratitude. This mindset shift changed everything.
Gratitude ! Gratitude ! Gratitude for having a year growing into wholeness!
As the sun rises higher, I set down my empty teacup feeling blessed by the journey. Though rocky at times, every season gifted hard-won growth.
My only resolution moving forward is to hold outcomes loosely, accepting life’s ebb and flow with faith over fear. Each new challenge will provide lessons, if I open myself to learning.
Here’s to another year of discovering wholeness and purpose. May we remember that our power lies not in controlling life, but in how we respond to it with wisdom, courage, and grace.
I would love to hear any reflections you have on your own journey over this past year and hopes for what lies ahead! Let’s encourage each other to embrace it all.
