Chapter 2024, Page 1

Dear Sunshines,

As we ring in the New Year, we also welcome the "ins and outs", the "resolutions" as well as the "expectations" that this new beginning offers. Turning the page, entering a new chapter of our lives, many of us find ourselves setting lofty goals for ourselves in order to be the best version possible.

For me, this new chapter is a time for reflection, a time to think back on a year filled with ups and downs. This is a time to ask myself if I am proud of who I am becoming, and if not, how can I make the shift.

For many of us, myself included, this year was far from easy. 2023, to put it lightly, totally kicked my ass. It was the best of times, and yes, it definitely was the worst of times.

So, I thought back on this past year, I couldn't help but wonder if 2023 was actually the best year of my life. I know, I know. You are probably thinking, is she serious? Didn't she just say she got beaten up by '23? Yes, I am serious. 2023 was my best year yet because I had the chance to grow. Sure, I fell down, but here I am, sitting here, writing to all of you, and that has to count for something.

On the topic of new beginnings, I feel like I have to tell you all that I am not a believer in the "New Year, New Me." Why? Well, because, honestly, I love who I am becoming, and I wouldn't want to be any other version of myself than I am right now. I also don't really believe in resolutions, because they set an expectation. So instead of resolutions, I set goals for the year. I am a firm believer that expectations only lead to disappointments. Don't get me wrong, I love a new beginning, I mean one of the main reasons I love yoga so much is because each breath is an opportunity to begin again. However, I am working to eliminate added pressure in 2024, so I have begun implementing the elimination of expectations.

So, if I were sitting here, at my desk, writing a story, here is what I am writing for the first page of 2024:

Embrace the fresh start, you know, that new beginning that January 1st brings. Allow this beginning to be an opportunity to reflect on who you are, who you have become, and who you want to be. Notice what you are still holding onto, and if it is not serving you, begin to unravel the attachment. For 2024, I do not want to bring anything along that does not serve me. I want to set attainable goals that improve my day to day, but most importantly I want to live in the moment. I want to be free to choose in each moment, because the present is fleeting.

Lastly, with this year ahead of us, I have chosen to keep Kismet as one of my words for 2024, however, I also included another word to shape my year: spontaneity. I don't know what the future holds, so I can't tell you if we will ever be as free, fun, or energized as we are now. What I can tell you is we will never be this young again. So, keeping that in mind, I want to be more open to opportunities, be more spontaneous, book the flight, take the trip, etc.

So, sunshine, use this unwritten chapter as a chance to do the work, all the while remaining true to who you are. With that, cheers to 2024, you have some pretty big shoes to fill.

Have a beautiful new year!

xx,

sunshine