I honestly don’t usually take much time to reflect on the year at years’ end. Our annual recap Christmas letter has seemed sufficient in the past. We hit on all of the “whats”, the “wheres”, the “whos”. That’s probably what our recipients expect, and I certainly value those memories. But now you’ve got me thinking, Bethaney: what about the “whys”? You inspired me to take time to reflect on this year’s emotional growth before moving on to planning the upcoming year.
I have always valued the opportunity to reflect on, and outline, personal focuses by establishing New Year Resolutions. Sometimes I stick to them, sometimes I forget them altogether, like your list in the bottom of your drawer. But even after a difficult year, I also think there is important growth that happens with unanticipated accomplishments that come up organically as the year progresses that should not be overlooked. The year can be measured just as much by those accomplishments as with following through on a New Year Resolution.
As a society, we’re more and more programmed to feel like we need to succeed, find the answer, now. If we don’t know something, all we have to do is pull out our phone and Google it. While this can come in so handy (of course), we also lose our ability to be content with not knowing the answers. We put so much pressure on ourselves to figure things out, get better— that linear growth you talk about. To quote Carrie Bradshaw, “ I couldn’t help but wonder…..”: in 2023, can I practice more reflection, learn to sit with feelings of unknowing? Can we find space and maybe comfort within that feeling? Prioritize: what needs to be solved, answered and what can be left unanswered?
Thank you so much for your honest and insightful posts! You’ve got my wheels turning:)
Meridy, thank you for this comment. I love the invitation here to not only take note of our wins and wounds, but to also hold space for *wonder* and for all of those good and beautiful gifts we didn't see coming in a given year.
You're right, our culture definitely emphasizes counting/measuring/tracking "progress" and "growth" often to our detriment and distraction from the present moment. I'm wondering now, what if we normalized not knowing, not answering? What if we embraced this simple limitation of the human experience, our inability to know everything? Gosh...I'm going to sit with this.
I appreciate you! Thanks for reading and reflecting with me.
Yes, I love this. Would love to hear what comes from reflecting on not knowing, not answering. There are at least two sides to this, right? The peace that comes with admitting “I don’t know and that’s ok” but also determining when this approach can be damaging.
I’m glad to have connected with you and appreciate the mention on the podcast! You said my name exactly right :)
I honestly don’t usually take much time to reflect on the year at years’ end. Our annual recap Christmas letter has seemed sufficient in the past. We hit on all of the “whats”, the “wheres”, the “whos”. That’s probably what our recipients expect, and I certainly value those memories. But now you’ve got me thinking, Bethaney: what about the “whys”? You inspired me to take time to reflect on this year’s emotional growth before moving on to planning the upcoming year.
I have always valued the opportunity to reflect on, and outline, personal focuses by establishing New Year Resolutions. Sometimes I stick to them, sometimes I forget them altogether, like your list in the bottom of your drawer. But even after a difficult year, I also think there is important growth that happens with unanticipated accomplishments that come up organically as the year progresses that should not be overlooked. The year can be measured just as much by those accomplishments as with following through on a New Year Resolution.
As a society, we’re more and more programmed to feel like we need to succeed, find the answer, now. If we don’t know something, all we have to do is pull out our phone and Google it. While this can come in so handy (of course), we also lose our ability to be content with not knowing the answers. We put so much pressure on ourselves to figure things out, get better— that linear growth you talk about. To quote Carrie Bradshaw, “ I couldn’t help but wonder…..”: in 2023, can I practice more reflection, learn to sit with feelings of unknowing? Can we find space and maybe comfort within that feeling? Prioritize: what needs to be solved, answered and what can be left unanswered?
Thank you so much for your honest and insightful posts! You’ve got my wheels turning:)
Sincerely, Meridy
Meridy, thank you for this comment. I love the invitation here to not only take note of our wins and wounds, but to also hold space for *wonder* and for all of those good and beautiful gifts we didn't see coming in a given year.
You're right, our culture definitely emphasizes counting/measuring/tracking "progress" and "growth" often to our detriment and distraction from the present moment. I'm wondering now, what if we normalized not knowing, not answering? What if we embraced this simple limitation of the human experience, our inability to know everything? Gosh...I'm going to sit with this.
I appreciate you! Thanks for reading and reflecting with me.
Yes, I love this. Would love to hear what comes from reflecting on not knowing, not answering. There are at least two sides to this, right? The peace that comes with admitting “I don’t know and that’s ok” but also determining when this approach can be damaging.
I’m glad to have connected with you and appreciate the mention on the podcast! You said my name exactly right :)