Let It Go

The thing about this time of year is that you can really get into your own head. Reflection is a wonderful practice and yet there can be a thin line between reflection and overthinking. When you're planning goals for the upcoming year- there's a sense of excitement and fear that sets in.

Can I achieve these big goals that I set for myself next year? If I didn't meet my goals this year, what makes me think next year will be any different? ....If I did meet my goals this year, then how am I going to do it again? Do I even want to?

The spiral of thoughts is enough to make you get dizzy... so can I say something to you without you getting offended?

Just... STOP and BREATHE.... It might be hard to hear but no one cares as much about your personal goals as you do. If you didn't hit your goals, no one else's world is shattering, and if you did hit them- that's awesome! And no one will feel as accomplished or want to celebrate as much as you do. I say all this not to burst any bubbles but to help you give yourself permission to STOP trying so hard.

Don't stop trying hard to reach your goals- but stop trying to do it for anyone besides yourself. The beauty about "tomorrow" is that it's always going to be a new day that brings with it new opportunities to try again. Take the time to reflect but don't dwell.

Think of all the positive things you've done this year, and truly let yourself bask in it. Not just work stuff... but did you make time for self-care, or finally get some date nights in with a loved one... Did you buy yourself that dream car or finally watch that movie that has been on your to-do list... Did you take that vacation you've been talking about or buy a new sweater or pair of shoes that makes you feel attractive and confident. I want you to bask in all of the glorious small and big positive things that have happened this past year!

However- in order to truly fully bask in the wonderful.... you have to also face the not so wonderful too. Like... did you oversleep and miss an important meeting, or say 'no' to something that you wish you had said yes to? Did you separate from a loved one, or completely bomb on a new project that you really thought would do well? Did you work so hard that it caused a rift in your home life, or find yourself visiting the doctor way more than you would have liked this past year? Whatever negative things happened in your life this past year, I am truly sorry that you had to go through it. Life will never only be the good wonderful things; it's also going to be a mix of sadness, anger, and frustration. And that is OK. So let yourself feel it... all of it. And then, let it go. 

You cannot change what's happened- good or bad. As far as we know, time travel is not a thing yet, so all we can choose to do is move forward. One step, one hour, one day at a time. Give yourself permission to congratulate yourself on the good  moments and forgive yourself for the bad ones. If you're still sitting here today, then you made it... you survived, and not everyone always does. You have a purpose in this world, whether or not you have discovered it yet. So again, let yourself feel ALL of it.... and then let it go.

Whether or not 2024 was the year of your dreams is irrelevant to what can happen in 2025. Let next year be about a fresh start and new beginnings. If you had an amazing year, then let yourself be excited about creating another new amazing year! And if you didn't - trust me, I understand more than many some of the pain that this past year has left in it's trail - and that's ok too. Allow yourself to get excited about the possibility of making next year better than this one. Be intentional to focus on your joy, on your future good moments, on what makes your heart smile. 

If no one else has said this to you lately, I'm rooting for you and I believe in you! Cheers to 2024 being almost over, and to all of the unexpected surprises and good moments 2025 will have in store for us! 🥂

Author: Josie Ambroise