HAPPY 2018, GUYS!
I feel like letting out a big sigh of relief that 2017 has come to a CLOSE! Never do I ever want to be a Debbie Downer, but last year was NOT my year. I had to learn to deal with grief I had never faced before and I spent most of the year being bummed out about it. I definitely do not promote that outlook, but sharing that with you is what brings us to MY WORD for 2018:
FORWARD
Yep, forward is my word! Like I said, I spent most of 2017 being sad about losing my grandparents, losing my first pregnancy, and my dad’s health problems. I have always had a joyful, optimistic spirit, but last year really did a number on it! Instead of turning to other outlets, such as exercise for relief, I spent a lot of time sulking in sadness and feeling alone.
And here, my friends, is where we turn that boat around!
The new year truly feels like a clean slate to me. I am so excited to move forward and leave all of that negativity in last year. I will never forget those people or experiences, and I still have my dad around to spend time with! But, I know that none of them would want me to spend so much time being sad, they would want me to move forward with that same joyful spirit! And so THAT is what I choose to do. My life doesn’t end here, just because unfortunate circumstances have taken place. I have so much ahead of me and while I have so many sweet memories, if I choose to stay there, I will never get to fully experience the amazing things ahead.
The true magic happens when we realize that we have the opportunity to cultivate the life we want.
Grieving is necessary and I had to allow myself to go through it, but I don’t like the life I lived this last year. Yep, I said it. There were many things I did love, such as my husband (obviously), my pup Dallas, time with my parents, sister, and friends I adore. However, a lot of the time, I was angry, sad, pissed off, stressed, But guess what? Those events are part of life. Everyone is going to have unfortunate things happen in their life at some point. But we can’t stay there, I’m not staying there, I’m moving forward.
Making resolutions isn’t something I normally do because so many people set so many goals and a month in, they’ve given up. It’s not really their fault, it’s just that they usually try to change too much at once or set unrealistic goals. I’ve decided to make myself promises instead that will help me live a more meaningful life and allow me to put more energy into passions I really want to pursue.
So, here are my promises to myself for 2018:
- I will not allow my thoughts to live in the past. I can enjoy memories without allowing myself to go on a downward spiral of sadness.
- I will minimize all negativity that lingers in my thoughts.
- I will choose joy over sadness.
- I will make room for creativity that I have let fall by the way side.
- I will only purchase and/or bring items into our home if they serve a purpose or spark joy in our lives.
- I will choose experiences over things
- I will not use shopping for new items as a way to make myself feel better when I’m having a bad day.
- I will simplify as many tasks as possible by having and using less THINGS, in order to make energy for things that truly matter to me.
- I will speak in love to everyone around me, even when I have a bad day.
- I will choose movement instead of sitting on the couch and being sad.
- I will love and enjoy the time I get with my nanny kids until I get to have a nugget of my own.
- I will focus on strength, getting stronger both physically and mentally.
- I will choose presence and creativity over mindless scrolling on social media.
- I will enjoy more quiet weekends.
- I will not allow things I cannot control to put me in a bad mood.
- I will tune into life’s little treasures, such as that first sip of coffee in the morning, or feeling the sun kiss my skin.
- I will choose simplicity over business.
- I will make relationships my number one priority.
- I will stay in a constant state of gratitude, even if things get rough.
- I. WILL. CHOOSE. LIFE.
2018 will be all about joy, creativity, experiences, love, movement, strength, presence, simplicity, relationships, gratitude, and most of all, life.
I hope you all will join me in making promises to yourself that you can keep. You have the opportunity to cultivate a joyful, meaningful life. I believe the New Year is the perfect time to set the tone for the amazing things that are to come! Send me your New Year’s promises to yourself so that I can support you!
XOXO, Jessie
