New you or True You

Every new year that comes and goes is the beginning of a “new you.” The version of yourself that one aspires to be and grants themselves. The version of themselves that everyone gets excited for. The version that individuals see for themselves and hope to show off to everyone else I find. Resolutions I find tend to be ones that are difficult for someone to fully follow through with, and the majority of the time these resolutions are left behind after a month or two. I myself have not followed a resolution for more than that timeline and I find it's because either they are difficult to maintain; i lose motivation; or it's something that maybe I didn’t truly want. I have tried, but they just never come to fruition.

The last few years have been ones of trying times. With the world coming to halt several time, they took a mental and physical toll on myself, and from what I can imagine, many others in the same manner. I found that during that difficult time setting daily or weekly goals were things that gave me something to look forward to; and I am looking at this year's resolution just the same. An opportunity for growth, but in a different manner than the past years.

This year I have a resolution to make a difference for myself. One of self acceptance and creating a healthier and happier version of myself. Going forward into the new year I want to take the time to slow down, and listen to what is going on with myself, and what my body needs.

I know that this includes habitual changes and plan on taking the small steps to reaching my final goal. This resolution I plan on starting small; little changes in my everyday life and work to create a larger snowball once the beginning stages get easier and more regular. Ones that become second nature. And this is where it begins.

It begins by creating a calming space for myself; and for my son. To get a restful night's sleep; to nourish my body and my soul. It begins by taking the time to slow down, and feel life as it comes. To stay in the moment and enjoy each and every one. I want to take my days and remember each one for what it was. Whether it be one of difficulty or one of light; to experience it, and work through it. To remind myself that things are going to be okay no matter what. To meditate and feel within myself that everything truly is going to be okay. I hope to have the feeling of trusting that everything really will work out, but have the courage to do what life requires for me to get there.

I know that this all together seems like a tall order, but I think by slowly making progress, and being patient with my process that these things are easily obtainable. That this will take time, but the end goal seems worth it to me.

And I know that this will take more than a year and isn’t just a “resolution”, but rather a commitment to myself this year to actually follow through on the things that I have always wanted but rather have just put off. So in simpler form, my resolution is to begin doing what is beneficial to me. To take each day one step at a time, and follow my heart and honor it by doing so.

The beginning of this year isn’t just a “new me''. It’s the journey to that.