No New Year's Goals, Only 2 Intentions
It's pretty deflating to arrive at the end of the year, review everything I set out to achieve and realize that despite all of my efforts, I've achieved absolutely none of it.
I can definitely celebrate the steps I took toward achieving those goals, but even that can be kind of deflating, because I see all the effort that I put toward something, but with no outcome in return.
This year I've decided to do things a bit differently. Instead of trying to achieve anything specific, I'm focusing on doing my best to be as happy as I can in any given moment, regardless of my circumstances, and I'm going to cultivate a new level of appreciation for what I already have in my life.
You see, the thing is, the reason I want what I want and have been striving for what I've been striving for, is because ultimately, I believe it will make me happy. So if happiness is really the end goal, why not do my best to just make myself feel happy right now?
When I think back to my goals 10 years ago, I realize that I am in this moment, living my dream life from 10 years in my past, and I've been living it for quite some time now, but not truly appreciating it, because I now want more.
It's in our nature to keep striving for more, and to keep learning and growing, so I don't see anything wrong with wanting more, but I'm realizing that if I don't allow myself to feel some form of satisfaction, and happiness now, that I will continue delaying my gratification for some "magical day in the future" that may never even come. Or maybe when I get there, it will no longer be enough for me, and I'll find myself unsatisfied once again, wanting even more.
So, I mean, these are goals in a way, but not the typical types of goals I've historically set for myself. Making myself happy and cultivating gratitude and appreciation, are ways of life that I'm adopting, not necessarily goals that I'm achieving.
So that's it. That's all I wanted to share. I hope you all had a nice holiday season and happy 2024.
Hi, I’m Kristen!
I envision a world where you and I rediscover what it is to be human, through connection with ourselves, each other and the natural world around us.