Title: Reflecting on My Year: A Journey of Growth and Self-Discovery
Written on
Chapter 1: A Year of Struggles and Triumphs
This past year has been quite challenging for me, as I truly began to feel the weight of my age. I navigated numerous ups and downs, often finding myself in a state of melancholy. However, amidst these struggles, I overlooked my achievements.
I made significant strides this year: I quit drinking, cultivated a garden, initiated a legal case, mostly taught my son to read, began potty training my daughter, engaged in extensive online English teaching, progressed in my Montessori training, improved my Spanish skills, and worked on overcoming codependency.
These accomplishments, while not exhaustive, hold great importance.
Sometimes, we go through phases where our achievements aren't outwardly visible. The advancements we make can often be internal.
Mindset: A Double-Edged Sword
For example, when I stopped drinking, few acknowledged this as an accomplishment, as it was not recognized as a major issue. Although it wasn't an addiction, it had a considerable impact on my well-being.
I also devoted significant time to enhancing my mental and physical health, exploring various supplements and establishing self-care routines that have greatly improved my mindset. While it may have been simpler to endure my struggles, actively seeking solutions is an achievement in itself.
These milestones may not be something I can display on a wall or share on social media, but they remain deeply meaningful to me.
Among the highlights of my year are two key achievements that resonate the most. The first was pursuing an opportunity I believed was out of reach for the next two decades. Although it will take six months to realize this goal, simply opening my heart and mind to the possibility of manifesting a long-held dream has been transformative.
While it's not a topic I often discuss since there's nothing tangible to showcase, the mere act of allowing myself to entertain the idea and gradually pursuing it has been significant.
The second accomplishment I'm most proud of is my honesty with myself and my immediate family regarding a challenging health issue at home. I openly communicated the problem and, crucially, sought assistance.
Historically, I've not been one to ask for help, despite understanding its importance (though I have improved). As I move into the next year, I plan to prioritize celebrating my victories—no matter how small or invisible they may be.
This reflection serves as a commitment to journaling regularly, just as I did during the most trying times in my life, when it was my sole outlet.
Chapter 2: The Power of Reflection
Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash
What I've come to understand is that without documenting and reflecting on my life experiences, I risk forgetting the valuable lessons, healing, and insights I've gained. My aim is to live more purposefully—not just in a physical sense but also mentally and emotionally.
I aspire to achieve clarity and effectiveness in my thoughts and feelings, cherishing even the challenging aspects of life, as there is always a silver lining to be found. However, it can be difficult to recognize these positives without stepping back, shifting my perspective, and naming them.
My objective is not only to identify and articulate my experiences but also to remember my journey as I reach new milestones. I often find myself focused on the difficulties I face, but it can be incredibly motivating to reflect on how far I've come.
As I approach the end of this year and look toward the next, I want to remain conscious of my ability to achieve both small and significant goals. I aim to appreciate how these seemingly minor changes profoundly influence my life.
This mindset will serve as my motivation to pursue both small and large transformations in the coming year and through this new chapter of my life.
If you're interested in healing through writing, storytelling, and self-reflection, I invite you to join me on this journey!
For more on my experiences of rediscovering and redefining my life as a millennial mother, explore the following:
- Navigating a Millennial Mid-Life Crisis: When aging meets societal shifts.
- Embracing My Truth: A journey that took 39 years.
- The Importance of Journaling: Understanding myself through writing.