2023?? 2023!! For some reason something about writing /23 has been way easier than the previous years’ date transitions. I remember when I was in grade school and writing /07 was super weird because I still didn’t get how it used to be /04..3 years ago from that point… anyways, progress has been made! It’s a new year! People are setting goals and dreams and aspirations! And what type of blogger would I be if I didn’t give you my take on all this sparkly chitter chatter?? A bad one, that’s for sure.
To kick this off, I have some questions for you, because I think self reflection is critical for self improvement, and for better, brighter days ahead. Please answer these in your head, or aloud, whichever will allow for you to be more honest with yourself:
- What is one memory from 2022 that really makes your heart feel warm?
- What is the best meal you had in 2022?
- Where is one place you visited in 2022 that you would want to go back to?
- What new friends did you make this past year?
- Which friends did you lose this past year?
Okay, so you’ve answered some questions and now you’re probably like, “Brooke, I did it, but I’m not sure why this matters.” Ooohhh trust me, it does. 🙂
1. What is one memory from 2022 that really makes your heart feel warm?
This here is a really touching one. I think that we should all strive for more moments in 2023 that make us feel warmer. But, we do not always know what feels warm in the moment, so looking back is a great way to recognize after-the-fact when a certain experience really made us feel content, loved, or simply present (or maybe all of the above). Whatever your answer is to this question, strive for more moments like this in 2023. You deserve these positive, encouraging feelings. Work to put yourself in situations that allow for you to be who you are, in all of your entirety, and aim to exist in the present moment of these grounding experiences.
2. What is the best meal you had in 2022?
As I am working to better my relationship with food, I encourage my readers to do the same. And if you think that you have a super healthy relationship with food (that’s amazing, I aspire to get there one day) then reflect on this and see where you can share your input and approaches with others who are not quite there yet (like myself haha). Food is an integral part of our lives and we need to appreciate it and be one with it in order for our own lives to go on. My own history with food–based on what I saw and what I was taught growing up–played a heavy role in how I started crafting my eating habits in college. I then eventually came to realize that these habits were semi-restrictive (not until 3 years later though). I did not see food as a friend, but rather as something that was out to get me. Food was daunting and kind of had a negative connotation for me when I started college. It’s hard for me to admit that, but yes, I really limited myself in the UVM dining halls. Very rarely did I give in to my cravings. And yes, I regret it. But! That is a thing of the past, and my relationship with food has made such big strides forward. So for you, reflecting on what tastes good to you and understanding the feelings associated with that food can be really helpful in making progress with meals in 2023. Maybe even recreate the meal that made you feel so happy, and share it with a friend, a loved one, or someone who you want to be your friend. Food is fuel, but it can also unite people by sharing different cultures and different lessons.
3. What is one place you visited in 2022 that you want to go back to?
Travel, travel, and travel some more my friends. Go see the sights. Sit in a coffee shop without an agenda. Put your phone on do not disturb. Talk to strangers. Get directions from a hostess after dinner as you find the next place to drink a local beer (or martini, or mocktail ;)). There is so much to see outside of our daily bubbles and towns and cities that we tend to get caught up in. Traveling is the best way to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, and I think that we should all do more of that. Here is a nice little diagram outlining where growth happens. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t happen where you are comfortable.
4. What new friends did you make this year?
Followup question to #4: why did these people seem like people that you wanted to be friends with? One thing that we tend to forget is that we are very easily influenced by our cohort. We slowly pick up their habits; the way they talk, their reactions, what they like to eat, where they like to go, and even the way they complete certain tasks. Because of this, it is crucial that you hangout with people that you admire. In other words, choose to be around people that are going to make you better. Do not choose to hangout with people that encourage bad habits. A very simple example here is drinking; if you want to drink less alcohol, then hangout less with the people you usually drink with. I know this is harder said than done, but I am not here to make things easy for you. I want to help you be a better version of yourself. Growth is anything but easy. Which brings us to question #5.
5. Which friends did you grow apart from this past year?
Which can then be followed up with: what about them made you drift apart? I know that some friendships tend to fizzle out and do not always have a certain thing to blame, but for the relationships that do have a thing to point a finger at, what is it? And why was that not good for you? Recognizing why you needed to step away from a person / a situation is pretty challenging, especially when we are all so used to sugarcoating things. Well, when it comes to your life and your future, don’t sugarcoat it. Say the truth. Say it loud. Say it with your back straight and your chest out. Own it. Because this is your story and you deserve to be in charge of it.
*inhale for 3 seconds* *exhale for 3 seconds*
*inhale for 3 seconds* *exhale for 3 seconds*
*inhale for 3 seconds* *exhale for 3 seconds*
Okay, great. look at us! this is awesome. I am thankful that we just did this together. I feel like a better person already. Talk soon!
yours truly,
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