December is the perfect time to add some extra journaling and reflecting to your life. At a minimum, I get all into practicing gratitude after Thanksgiving. Every year I pull my journal out a few extra times during the holidays. Things I like to journal on include: Yearly reflections- including everything that has happened in a positive, impactful way. I list out moments, events, feelings and all the things that made my spirits bright! I include hopes, dreams, plans for the future and lists of things I love! Journaling has been a game-changer for my life! I love it!
At the end of the year, it’s fun to go back to the prior year and read your journal entries! Here’s a snapshot of my 2018 entry! (Don’t even comment if something is spelled wrong, my journal doesn’t care!)
My 2018 reflections talked a lot about missing my Grandma and all the amazing memories I have of her. It was so beautiful to look back at this and now see how much my heart has healed during this past year. I still miss her every day, but I’ve grown to understand she’s with me always. I list another situation I was struggling with, and I ask to keep healing and finding the joy in the journey. I’ve come almost full circle with the struggle and, honestly 365 days, it’s nothing. It’s not complicated at all; it’s fun to see the issue resolved and realize I no longer even think about it. Looking back after a full trip around the sun is a wonderful thing because it shows all your personal growth. I suggest you try it for the next year!
As seen in the photo, 2018 goals. Let’s chat about how I did:
My biggest goal for the year was: Stop rushing, I wrote, life is not a race! Nobody wins for getting all the things done!! I plan to find time to chill, relax, breathe & slow down. My advice from my older friends, “Enjoy the moments, all of them.”
My intentions for the year; I’m slowing down the to-do lists, the expectations I put on myself. I am going to breathe and be present. I am going to hold Ruby, play with her, and love every single moment of being her mom. I am going to do the same with Marcus and my family.
Recap: It took a while, but I did slow down! The universe sent me plenty of things to help me slow down, breathe and enjoy moments during the past year.
Here are some things that slowed me down:
· I was selected as a member of a jury on a case, I spent 4 days at the courthouse without my phone – sitting with strangers while deciding someone else’s future. (I was so pissed I got picked but after the experience, I’d happily do my civic duty again.)
· I got pregnant –- time has moved SO slowly since finding out July 6th. There was also the beginning of the pregnancy that was a rollercoaster of emotions with 5 weeks of lots of slowing down. Then we lost a baby and had to heal; healing takes time. I’ve been blessed to stay home with Ruby 5 out of 7 days a week, though the days are long (people say the years are short and I’m trying my best to be present!). I’ve been working to give my full attention to Ruby, Marcus and my family by hiding my cell phone when I spend time with them.
· I also have been invested in the Awaken & Rise program since September, which has given me motivation to meditate consistently, read and breathe. It’s a lot about breathing! Breathing is life! All of these things have definitely helped me to slow down, relax, rest and be grounded! Surprisingly it feels good!
Goal 2: I plan to do whatever makes me feel good each day! Sweat, journal, eat good, wear make up and nice outfits, enjoy a stress-free drink – this makes me happy, no stressing.
Recap: I mastered this! I have really good time management skills and I make time for everything! People are interested in how I get it all done; I promise to detail this soon in a post.. I am always first on my priority list, and I did and continue to do all the things that make me happy daily- which is why I vibe high! Vibing high allows me to have energy to do all the things, including the things not on this list, like #MomBossLife. This needs its own post!
Goal 3: Ditch comparison, don’t compare your life to others. There’s no comparison between the sun and the moon, they shine when it’s their time. Enough said (oh…and I underlined that.)
Recap: I did a great job turning on my blinders. Have you ever compared yourself to your friends, coworkers, siblings, complete strangers, or anyone else you slightly know? Do you question how” they have XYZ while you don’t?” This was a mini struggle of mine and it was draining me from joy. In 2019, I really did work to ditch comparison. I didn’t even remember this was a goal until opening my journal. See, I worked it out of my life! I said bye to comparison and focused on my grass! My 2019 grass is green AF! Should this have its own post, too?
Goal 4: Visualize your highest self and show up as her.
Recap: When I wrote this goal, I didn’t know what was coming in 2019. I just wrote some shit down. To me, that’s what journaling is. Get whatever is in your heart and mind written on the paper! I manifested “leveling up for myself” in 2019. I did the work and it worked! I’ve grown mentally, physically and emotionally while growing a baby! Winning!!! However growth doesn’t stop, which is why I am excited to continue this goal into 2020 and see where it takes me!
Here’s a fun picture of “fun goals” and things I wanted to manifest: Not bragging here, but all but one of these has come into existence!
The power of journaling and writing down goals, dreams, manifesting desires, things you love can be fun! I think of my journal as a giant wish list; set it and forget it! Until you want to look back and recap. I do this often and it bring me great joy, Vibe High shit! The shit that makes me LIVE IT UP daily! Try it! Make 2020 your year!
P.S. I’ll share my Vision Board from the beginning of 2019 with you next week!! Don’t forget, you can kick off 2020 with a Manifesting & Vision Board workshop at SIU on January 4th. Register here! It includes everything you need to make a vision board! If you have favorite photos or magazines, bring them. We have glue, tag board, more magazines! Bring a journal for notes on manifesting! Lunch is included with drinks, but if you want something special, bring that with you, too. It’s going to be a great day setting our intentions for the New Year! Don’t miss it!
