Our Favorite New Year Practice: “Leave behind, bring forward”
✨ Whether you’re in the “2024 in place” or “2024 pending” boat, we can all agree that making a list of what we’ll leave behind in 2023 and what we desire to bring forward into 2024 is a sound way to start the new year. Let’s go through this practice together!
The beginning of a new year is truly a magical time. It’s full of hope and excitement! Don’t you feel it?
If you’re not, you may be feeling a bit stressed or overwhelmed with all the commotion about goals, taking action, etc. What I call the “go-go-go” mindset. Which is great, don’t get me wrong! But if you know me, you know I’ll preach the following reminder from every soapbox I can get on…”Do it in YOUR OWN time. Not anyone else’s timeline- YOURS.”
Everyone’s timing is different because everyone’s energy is different. So while other’s feel that their intuition says “let’s do this”, others’ intuition may quietly whisper “not yet.”
I’m firmly in the middle of both- business plans set, personal goals broken down to small, achievable steps, but not 100% sure what my intention for the year is yet. It takes time to feel into what you intend for the year, and I’m no exception.
✷ So if January is still a time to reflect on 2023, take that time to reflect.
✷ If February is when you’re feeling your engines revving, go off!
✷ If you take the entire 1st quarter of 2024 to get your intentions, goals, and focus in place, celebrate the astro new year around March 20th with Aries season.
Don’t let the “go-go-go” you see everywhere push or force you out of your own timing.
With that said, if you’re in either boat- 2024 in place or 2024 pending - what we can all agree on doing in January is making a list of what we’re leaving behind in 2023 and what we desire to bring forward into the new year.
So take a moment to reflect or flip through your journal…
✷ What are some moments that’d you’d like leave behind?
✷ What are some beliefs or values that no longer resonate with you?
✷ What qualities in relationship to others are looking for more of?
When you’ve thought of a few things, take some time to think about what next level you would want you to bring more of this year. Does she ask for more boldness? More care and gentleness towards yourself? What would next level you be doing right now in your vision and why would she be doing those activities?
Take as much time as you need, then marvel as the results. Doing this simple exercise just reflected on your year as a whole. Now you have some words, mantras, and ideas that will help guide you throughout the year while you create your vision for 2024.
What’s even more helpful, is that in moments of pure chaos, the lows, and the overwhelm, come back to the moments you wanted to leave behind in 2023. These are helpful memories to help you through the tough times this year will surely bring.
As for me, here’s what I’m leaving behind and why:
Comparison
I am who I am- that’s powerful, unique, and beautiful. How I transform that into my business and lifestyle is completely unique to me. No one can copy that. And what works successfully for someone, may not work for me at all.
I will no longer beat myself up if someone is doing something “better”, when in reality, we’re all on our own paths. We’re all successful and instead of comparing myself to others, I’ll celebrate others and take bits of inspiration from others as I hope others do from me.
✷ What I’m bringing forward into 2024 from these comparison memories- Gratitude
Scarcity
I am the most resourceful person I know. No matter what, I always find a way to make things work. Whether it’s moving to NYC with little money saved, to getting not one, but TWO part-time jobs to create a better life for myself in the most expensive city in the world while paying off debt, I know I can make it work.
I have the tools, mindset, and support I need to get myself to the next level I want to be at. Scarcity may be one of the codes passed down from my ancestors, but I’ll sure as hell be the first one to break it.
✷ What I’m bringing forward into 2024 from this scarcity mindset: Abundance
Blurry Boundaries
I’ll have to admit, my boundaries have been strong this year, but there’s been moments where I’ve wavered. This has led to some moments of overwhelm, loss of self, and toxic entanglements which literally made my body, mind, and soul go into a state of revolt.
✷ What I’m bringing forward into 2024 from blurry boundaries: The confidence to stand firm
Overthinking
If you know me, you know I’m an overthinker. It’s something I’m working on with tools like meditation and practicing presence to battle anxiety.
Most of the time, there’s no reason to overthink because everything works out. If you know yourself, you know that you can trust yourself to make the right decisions.
✷ What I’m bringing forward into 2024 from overthinking: Self-trust
I can guarantee you these “leave-behinds” won’t simply disappear in 2024, but with practicing the guiding values of what you’re bringing forward, these leave behinds will become smaller and smaller while your vision becomes clearer and easier to obtain.
➡️ So tell me, what words or mantras will be your guiding values for the year?
Happy New Year,
Kristen ❤️
