A few years ago, a dear friend gave me a new viewpoint for New Years' Resolutions. I know, we haven't gotten past Christmas and I'm talking about the new year. Bear with me.
She didn't believe in resolutions. They don't last and there's always a sense of guilt. Who wants to start a whole new year like that? Ew.
She suggested a different take. A word for the year. A focus for life rather than a promise doomed to splinter.
I've been trying it and at some point in the year, I always forget. But I start out strong and I have found fabulous success while it lasts. When it fades, there's no awareness... if I remembered, it wouldn't fade. At some point, the word pops back up and I make the shifts I need to.
Thanks to some heartache, some loss, and a significant internal quest, I've already chosen the word for 2023. And that's why we're already talking about the new year.
My word is Expectations.
Setting them. Managing them. Letting them go.
Most of my frustration and disappointment in life comes from one place: Imposter Syndrome. All of my insecurities are wrapped in that ugly llittle package and each one is based in expectations. I expect me to rise to certain standards all the time. I expected that I would be at a certain quality of life by this age. I expect my day to go a specific way.
We won't talk about my expectations of other people. Some of them might actually read this and then there will be Discussions. This isn't about Discussions. It's about me, shifting my view to ensure the calmest path forward.
I hope for, but I don't expect, happy surprises.
So... what's your Word? What's your theme? How will 2023 find you?
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