Is this the end of an era?
The fresh start to come will be fun, but how do we end the year well?
At Simplified, we call January our “Super Bowl,” because it’s prime-time for planners and organizational tools. With such a global emphasis on the fresh start that comes at the strike of midnight (18 days from now), I wonder… are we missing something?
No one loves a fresh start more than me. Give me a trash bag, a notepad for a grocery list, and take my kids for a while. I will have this house, our schedules, and the fridge ready in tip-top simplified shape in just a few hours. I love a before and after. I love a transformation. I love knowing everything is in its place and that we are all prepped for success to start anew.
In the excitement of the new beginning of 2024 though, are we missing the chance to end 2023 well?
We have 18 days to find out.
Regardless of what our 2024 goals are, how we plan to achieve them, and what changes we’ll be making to our habits once the new year begins, 2023 is still here. Christmas looms, our schedules are packed, and our to-do lists are a mile long. But, I invite you to gently slide all of those things off your proverbial desk and look at the here and now… maybe even reflect a little on what this “era” has been for you? Instead of sending this season off in a flurry of busyness, maybe we can end this season with intention.
How would you describe 2023 in 3 words? Keep it as simple as possible. What were the defining moments of your year?
These words might be positive, they might be negative, they might be a mix. Whatever they are, let them be what they are. I came across this beautiful post recently. The author explains:
The modern world tells us life is one mountain peak milestone after another. But the natural world tells us over and over: seasons are necessary.
I don’t know about you, but that realization feels really healing to me. By honoring our seasons, we heal ourselves and allow ourselves to move through them with grace.
How can you best tactically honor the era you’re in right now, with the 18 days left in 2023?
Perhaps that looks like carving out some significant time to get work done over the next few days. Or maybe it looks like declining a few invitations and getting some rest. Maybe it looks like taking your son out for ice cream because being a teenager is hard.
I think the best way we end this era… is to honor it. It was what it was — all its good, bad, hard, wonderful parts. By spending a little time looking back, honoring what was, and giving this season what it needs right now, we make healthy, sacred space for what’s to come.
love,
Emily
I’d love to know how you’re ending this era?
Ending 2023 at the age of 52 with a Bachelor's Degree from the Univ of AL that I fought hard to get. Wasn't sure I could finish after starting/stopping so many times over the last 30 years but it's done. I walked across that stage gloriously and the feeling of accomplishment was worth it all. Now to decide, should I get a Master's? Do I want to put myself through that again? Maybe that's a 2025 question and 2024 should be a year of fun and rest.
My 2023: Keep moving forward.
Regardless of the pace and how hard it got, I kept moving forward. Even if it was a slow crawl some days.
I’ve decided I’m going to end 2023 by writing a letter to the year. To thank it for what it’s taught me, for making me stronger, for personal growth, and for showing me where my priorities should truly lie. This was really hard year and I’m happy to start fresh in 2024 but I want to end it with positivity and gratitude because I certainly have learned a lot.