Three years ago, when our blogs were hosted someplace else, I wrote: Finding The Right Vocabulary To Make Your New Years Resolutions Attainable. It was a time when we were all in different places; many of us had no freedom, very little in the world of choices, and we were all a little gloomy. This year, ending 2024, feels hopeful, empowered and freer.
I hope this is your reality and that the dust has settled; most of the people I know have made choices for themselves this year. My industry beautifully demonstrates this, with almost 70% of people working different jobs than 12-24 months ago. Many of these changes are not about progression but making more time for ourselves or our families. There is a shift, and even with the cost of living stifling some people, it is clear that what is essential has somewhat shifted. We want different things, and we are prepared to make changes to make this happen for ourselves.
I am amongst these people in some ways. However, I chose to stand still for a while, hoping things would settle around me; they didn't, not really. I ran harder on the hamster wheel, not altering my priorities. It took me a minute (more like 2 years, if I’m honest) to catch up with my counterparts (people embarking on their late 30’s and what we want that to mean). When I finally chose Me, for what felt like the first time, it seemed like nothing, a simple choice that I didn’t want to compromise on. This choice took me to Bali on a Yoga teacher training for a month. At the time, I had no idea how this seemingly small choice would fundamentally change the course of my life and my thinking.
As the year moved me forward, I seemed to be feeding an addiction, one that had me engrossed in learning. Every teacher training opened my mind and heart to people and traditional philosophies beyond my understanding but so logical and helpful in seeing the world in a softer, more palatable way. I kept embarking on new ideas, hungry to live lighter. I got to a point where if something didn't feel like I should say no, I would say yes. I found myself in several teacher training, all with different flavours. As this year ends, I look back and wonder what my story can offer you. Well, it's an invitation for you to say yes, make yourself your priority, follow your heart, and be open to things that spark your curiosity.
I have no idea what 2025 will bring for you or me. All I know is I will be on a 12-month Adult Gap year, which I am incredibly excited by. (I have been trying to make one of these happen since I was 18 - but life and the hamster wheel caught me, and I didn't know how to step away.) I couldn't have jumped into the unknown without the people and experiences I have had this year. It all began with saying YES. It forced me to let people in. Letting people know the real you and opening up to them allows them to see you, and as they reflect you, you realise you are made for more things than the title, the salary, the location, or anything else you want to add here. There is more; I know it, and you know it too. Although I am under no illusion that change will be easy, and you shouldn't be either, we should want it anyway, and we’ll never know unless we try. Jumping and trusting ourselves might be the most challenging things we ever do, but they say do what scares you the most.
My biggest fear was leaving my job and maybe loosing a piece of me in the process. I have been in that job for so long that I’m not sure how many people know me beyond my role, and then that made me really sad. This barrier or boundary that used to protect me is now in my way. Remember, there are already so many parts of you that fit into the life you’ve created; we can make room for more: more experiences, more risk, more joy, more adventure, more yoga, more photos, more trust, more love, more freedom, more.
I appreciate that your more might not be travel, but take a moment to think about the one thing that you do want more of. Is it dancing, cooking, writing, painting, drawing, people, community, yoga, exercise, running, family time, or nature? Choose one and learn all about it, see where it leads you.
I will share my journey on Instagram on both @wordsandcontemplations and @movewithfai. Please come along the journey, and I promise you it will not all be sunshine and lollipops. I’ll share it all: the incredible, the frustrating, and all the things that show up for me on this new path whilst trying to recognise the potential and growth.
Maybe resolutions are here to help us hone in on what we want for the year ahead, as we could not give ‘the resolution’ the attention we wanted to previously. All I know is that the years go by fast, and doing something more often that makes you happy and fulfilled is all it takes for your life to move in the direction you want. Move forward into your joy, passion, and flow state.
Share what you want to renew about your thinking this year… If it’s not a no, maybe it's a YES!!!
