2024 | Growth and Fulfillment

Here is my cliche 2024, New Year, New Me, "I'm taking hold of my life" blog post. Funny that it's been a couple of months since I've been here but maybe part of my new year will lead me back here a little more often. 

As I was preparing these last few weeks, getting my heart, mind and body ready for these goals that I've put down, I found myself seeking guidance from different places to ensure I was moving forward in the right direction. Michael and I had many conversations about the healthy habits I want to lean into, while podcasts and bible reading laid further growth on my heart. This is just a compilation of those quiet conversations and hope for what is to come in 2024. 

Words:

I kept going back and forth on what I wanted my focus to be this year, entertaining words like hope, transform, fulfillment, and growth. I even chatGPTd to see if it would give me insight. Ultimately, after chatting it out with Sara, I landed on fulfillment and growth. I figure since I'm now 36 years old, I can make my own rules around here so I'm going all in with two kind of contradictory words. 

Fulfillment: the feeling of happiness and satisfaction. 

This is definitely an area that I've not been focusing on. In a world where everything is at your fingertips and people are telling you that this product is the best or you really need this cute new shirt, or your house should look like this, I want to guard my heart in fulfillment. Michael and I looked around our house the other day and instead of saying all the things we could or would change it, we just felt that moment of "damn, we're blessed to be here". I want more moments like that. I want to center my heart around seeing all that I have, not all that I want. 

Growth: the act or process, or manner of growing; it hasn't yet reached it's full potential

With growth, this applies to all around self growth. Personally, as a mom, as a wife, as a friend, in healthy habits....ALL. The. Things. Some may call it self care but I just want to grow into myself and feel the fulfillment that is this life that I am so thankful to have. 

Preparation

I know that they say that the key to staying consistent is your preparation. I am one of those people that feels like everything has to be perfect in order for something to work. ie: Do I have the right notebook or planner? Have I bought all the right apps? Do I have the bible studies I need, along with the pens, highlighters, tape, and even new bible that would help me with this? Should I buy some new shoes for the gym? What about some new workout gear or a matching Stanley Cup (IYKYK). 

But in my preparation I came across a podcast from the Proverbs 31 ministry that talks about intimacy, not proximity. My perception of the episode left me with this feeling of "I could have all the right things, but if my heart isn't right, I'm still going to fail". So here I am, showing up. I may not have all the tools right now, or all the right plans, but I'm showing up and connecting with the areas that I need some guidance in my life. 

Daily Tracker:

I spent some time making this planner to help focus my heart on the big things in my healthy growth. Figured I would share it in case you need a copy too. 

Podcasts I am listening too:

• Proverbs 31 Ministries
• Made for This with Jennie Allen
• Daily Grace
• She Reads Truth
• High School Counseling Conversations. 

Books on my to Read List:

• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***
• Can't Hurt Me
• Stop Overthinking: 

Healthy Life

My Apple watch is charged and ready for action. Michael and I have meals prepped this week with a plan on which day to do it weekly. My workouts are set up on an app called Jefit and I have a daily goal written in my planner. My hope is that the preparation will lead to habits that come more natural than having to plan to not eat chips for every meal. I've come a long way since 5 Dr. Peppers a day, breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, and dinner. But there is progress still to be made and I'm hopeful that consistency will lead to habits forming and a happy, healthier me. I think my babies, Michael, my friends, my students and mostly me deserve the best version of me there is. 

I hope beyond all hope that your New Year is starting off in the way you best see fit. Maybe you don't need a word to focus on, or you have awesome habits already formed and you just are ready to breathe as a fresh new year starts. I'm cheering you on friend.