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.
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.
@StephanieWilliamson I appreciate this idea so much because 2022-23 has been the most challenging season of my life to date. I love the idea of honoring the good and the not-so-good and honoring it for ALL the lessons and growth. Best of luck to you for an amazing 2024 💛
I'm ending 2023 by being truly present. Noticing the world, my actual life, around me...instead of striving to meet an unreachable goal. It's taken some intentional effort: Reducing my screen time on my phone wayyyyyy down...by 75%, saying no to some invitations, & choosing presence instead of frenzy.
2023 was all about digging deep and finding and falling in love with new hobbies and becoming more sure of myself. 2024 will bring change and I hope I can embrace it and not be scared by it.
It’s been just over a year that I quit my job, broke up with an emotionally abusive man and moved two hours south to a new city to start over. It hasn’t been easy but there has been grace, many lessons and a better understanding of who I am authentically.
I recently read a quote that said “There is literally nothing in nature that blooms all year long, so don’t expect yourself to do so.” That was very healing to me because I’ve spent my entire life trying to be “in season.“ Reading that and continuing to meditate on it brings me peace, tranquility and allows me to take a breath and realize it’s OK and even necessary to step back from life a little bit to recognize and honor all the changes I’ve seen over the past 13 months.
As a recovering perfectionist and people pleaser, I’m finally the most authentic I’ve ever been. I no longer seek anyone else’s approval, I’m finally living the simple, peaceful life I’ve always wanted. All of the striving and competition are over. Trying to prove myself to the one person who would never see my value was both demeaning and the impetus for setting healthy boundaries and becoming someone *I* am at peace with.
I’ll honor the end of this era by writing about all the lessons I’ve learned, meditating on each one and thanking God for the grace and mercy He has shown me himself and through others. My life is finally where I need it to be and while 2023 was a year of hardship and questions, it brought a lot of reflection and healthy adjustment in every area of my life. I look forward to 2024 being a year of answers, growth and success.
Emily, thank you for a beautiful post. One thing I know for sure is before we move forward we need to spend some time reflecting on what we’ve walked through. You’re such a blessing to me and I thank you 💛
Lisa, I am so proud of you and your courage to make changes! You quite about nothing blooming all year reminds me of Katherine Centers book - wintering. It was a profound realization for me that we need to take a period of time- especially after grief, challenges and change to “winter”. Xoxo
Thank you Sherry. It’s interesting you mentioned the book “Wintering,” because even though I haven’t read it yet, I referred to this past year as my wintering season. I thought it fit beautifully.
Less scheduled commitments and more free time to do what we feel like in the moment - margin for creativity and allowing my 5 year old some control of his days. The little things are the big things these days and making time for those are what matters in this era.
I’m ending the era realizing I’m not in control and that’s ok. I’m learning to take one day at a time and accept the things I cannot change. I’m grateful for the lessons learned and looking forward to all 2024 has to offer.
I appreciated this prompt to reflect. What immediately came to mind was strength and growth. Though a lot of health challenges came up this year for me and my family, and though it is not all resolved, going through it grounded me, forced me to strengthen my ability to cope in a healthy way and be a source of strength for my kids, and brought me back to my faith in a much stronger and lasting way.
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.
Congratulations!! That is a huge accomplishment!!!
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.
I love the idea of writing a letter to the year, thanks for sharing.
@StephanieWilliamson I appreciate this idea so much because 2022-23 has been the most challenging season of my life to date. I love the idea of honoring the good and the not-so-good and honoring it for ALL the lessons and growth. Best of luck to you for an amazing 2024 💛
I'm ending 2023 by being truly present. Noticing the world, my actual life, around me...instead of striving to meet an unreachable goal. It's taken some intentional effort: Reducing my screen time on my phone wayyyyyy down...by 75%, saying no to some invitations, & choosing presence instead of frenzy.
2023 was all about digging deep and finding and falling in love with new hobbies and becoming more sure of myself. 2024 will bring change and I hope I can embrace it and not be scared by it.
What new hobbies did you discover?
I’ve become a runner this year which i never thought would happen and I started my first garden, although small, I was proud of my accomplishments!
It’s been just over a year that I quit my job, broke up with an emotionally abusive man and moved two hours south to a new city to start over. It hasn’t been easy but there has been grace, many lessons and a better understanding of who I am authentically.
I recently read a quote that said “There is literally nothing in nature that blooms all year long, so don’t expect yourself to do so.” That was very healing to me because I’ve spent my entire life trying to be “in season.“ Reading that and continuing to meditate on it brings me peace, tranquility and allows me to take a breath and realize it’s OK and even necessary to step back from life a little bit to recognize and honor all the changes I’ve seen over the past 13 months.
As a recovering perfectionist and people pleaser, I’m finally the most authentic I’ve ever been. I no longer seek anyone else’s approval, I’m finally living the simple, peaceful life I’ve always wanted. All of the striving and competition are over. Trying to prove myself to the one person who would never see my value was both demeaning and the impetus for setting healthy boundaries and becoming someone *I* am at peace with.
I’ll honor the end of this era by writing about all the lessons I’ve learned, meditating on each one and thanking God for the grace and mercy He has shown me himself and through others. My life is finally where I need it to be and while 2023 was a year of hardship and questions, it brought a lot of reflection and healthy adjustment in every area of my life. I look forward to 2024 being a year of answers, growth and success.
Emily, thank you for a beautiful post. One thing I know for sure is before we move forward we need to spend some time reflecting on what we’ve walked through. You’re such a blessing to me and I thank you 💛
Lisa, I am so proud of you and your courage to make changes! You quite about nothing blooming all year reminds me of Katherine Centers book - wintering. It was a profound realization for me that we need to take a period of time- especially after grief, challenges and change to “winter”. Xoxo
Thank you Sherry. It’s interesting you mentioned the book “Wintering,” because even though I haven’t read it yet, I referred to this past year as my wintering season. I thought it fit beautifully.
Less scheduled commitments and more free time to do what we feel like in the moment - margin for creativity and allowing my 5 year old some control of his days. The little things are the big things these days and making time for those are what matters in this era.
This was a both/and year for me. I suppose that is true for every season. Really, really hard but also birthed some beautiful things.
I’m ending the era realizing I’m not in control and that’s ok. I’m learning to take one day at a time and accept the things I cannot change. I’m grateful for the lessons learned and looking forward to all 2024 has to offer.
I appreciated this prompt to reflect. What immediately came to mind was strength and growth. Though a lot of health challenges came up this year for me and my family, and though it is not all resolved, going through it grounded me, forced me to strengthen my ability to cope in a healthy way and be a source of strength for my kids, and brought me back to my faith in a much stronger and lasting way.
My 2023: Clarity brings uncertainty
Nothing too bad, but a lot to learn as I move to a new season. Here’s to 2024!
Oooh, that's a good reflection. Clarity can being uncertainty. Cheers to clear and certain steps in 2024!
I admire how much you reduced your screen time. That’s amazing!