Today is my 34th birthday, and since my birthday always falls right after the new year it tends to be more of a reflection of the previous calendar year as well as setting intentions for the upcoming year rather than thinking about my biological age. I will (quickly) add that so far in my life age just feels like a number to me and a privilege. The older I get the more well-rounded and intelligent I feel, I take better care of myself, I become a better version of myself, and so on. In terms of biology, I am feeling pretty good in life, and I will shout my age from the freaking rooftops because I don't give a flying F about numbers. :)
When it comes to past-year reflections and upcoming intentions this tends to be where I spend more of my birthday- feeling and processing and simmering. While I don't believe dwelling on the past is helpful, I do believe coming face-to-face with what you're letting go of, what you've learned, what's been challenging, or what you've created holds great importance. It allows for forgiveness, clarity, planning, gratitude and open- heartedness for what's to come. Early this morning I journaled about my 2024 creations, and while I won't share all of them with you (because no one wants to read a blog that's a long ass list), I will share some of my most compelling points:
I learned how to fully embrace motherhood, which also really nurtured my feminine side
I strengthened my faith this past year, and am still exploring what this looks like for me
I heightened my awareness around negative emotional reactions to triggers - both internal dialogue and physical sensations
I redefined or rather deconstructed what physical self-care can look like
I started to understand the depth of perspective and how it can change based on our internal environment
No, not all of my reflections are that heavy and deep, but this is what I love about taking the time to be quiet and still, and give my brain and heart time to connect when taking myself back in time. What a profoundly wonderful and growth-edge year I've had. (Growth edge meaning I was truly living and experiencing my life so close to the definitive line of "over the edge" that it forced me to grow in tremendous ways that at the time felt daunting and overwhelming, but became some of my most important moments and lessons).
I have a very deep, intuitive feeling that 2025 is going to be a big year personally and globally. Obviously our country is about to undergo some massive changes (truly an understatement) in the coming year, but personally it feels like some bigger changes are coming for my personal life. I won't disclose what I think they are, but I can tell you I'm already thinking about them as if they're happening, and with these changes come a lot of unknowns. Am I excited for this? Yes. Am I comfortable with it? For the most part.. Am I fearful of them? Not yet and hopefully I can alchemize any fear I may feel by simply remembering I am held, supported and loved.
Overall, 2025 will likely be a big transition year for me (again). Priorities will continue to shift and strengthen, educational and work opportunities will diversify, my health will continue to be a priority, though I may have to explore less complicated and time consuming routines, and maybe I'll finally be consistent enough on social media to become a monetized influencer..... LOLLLLL that last one is obviously a joke. Any who, this is the first year to date that I can remember feeling really excited for a new year. It has nothing to do with wanting to "leave 2024 in the past" and fast forward to easier times, but life just feels like it's changing in a really exciting albiet potentially busy (and sometimes stressful) way.
To expand on the quote "Celebrate endings- for they precede new beginnings." from Jonathan Lockwood Huie, there is no such thing as an ending when we think of life a the cyclical experience that it is. There is truly only the present. The past shapes the future and the future doesn't technically exist yet, so let's stay as centered in the NOW as best as we can and realize "it" is all FOR US.
Happy 2025 everyone! And happy 34th year around the sun to me.
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