Usually, at the beginning of a new year I take time to immerse myself in reflecting on the previous 12 months and planning what I’m hoping for in the year to come.
Not this year.
Nope. The first four days of this year felt like I was being dragged – kicking and screaming, no less – over the 2015 line.
In fact, blaming the dawn of a new year is a bit of a cop out because I’ve been feeling this way for a while, I think I just hoped the shiny new year might kick me out of it. Nothing has felt clear in what I want in my life, everything has felt like a chore, and I’ve been abandoning things that usually excite the pants off me left, right, and centre.
For want of a better word, I was in a funk.
And I kind of think it’s natural after the year that was. 2014 meant:
// Starting my own business
// Surviving a year without a full time job
// Evolving in a relationship while doing all of this
// And learning a butt load of lessons
No wonder complete and utter exhaustion ensued as the year came to a close.
And, after a few months of rest and relaxation around friends and family, and beginning 2015 fully surrendering to the weird vibe, something very important emerged (as it usually does when you entirely let go and stop pushing); a message for me and, hopefully, for you as well:
BE YOU.
Who cares about the bang you did or didn’t bring in the new year with?
Who cares if you’re into new year’s resolutions or not (the general consensus seems to be to steer clear of them but if you dig it, do it)?
Who cares if social media is telling you that everyone and your great auntie is absolutely killing it with their plans while you’re sitting in your PJs eating left over Christmas pudding?
If you care, you are the only one who can do something about it.
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There is so much ‘out there’ to make you feel bad about what you currently are or are not doing that it will drive you mental. In fact, there’s so much just IN YOUR HEAD to make you feel bad, before we even start tackling the outer stuff.
So it has decidedly become my life purpose to push you, to urge you, to lead by example that it’s time to stand up and BE YOU.
I haven’t decided what that means for my plans for the year yet. In the interest of full disclosure – given my new mission – I will be 100 percent honest and tell you that this is kind of how I generally function. I think and over think things and I have a million ideas, very little of which make it outside of my over abundance of notebooks, and there is rarely a plan in place, very often it’s a feeling or a fully instinctual thing.
But, that’s okay.
What it does mean is that my coaching is going to swing in the direction of a few very key elements:
DISCOVERY, HONESTY, EMBRACING UNIQUENESS, BRAVERY, TRAIL BLAZING.
Discovering who you are with wholehearted honesty.
Embracing that you are unique and the freedom that comes with knowing nobody else like you exists.
Being brave enough to get out of your own way and do what you want to do more than anything.
Setting off on your own adventure, blazing your own trail, and being intensely in love with every damn minute of it – even the uncomfortable bits (and there will be plenty of those).
As the saying goes:
“Oh darling, let’s be adventurers.”
That’s what this year is for me. Adventure, daring, vulnerability, and a total commitment to being the most true representation of me – a total work in progress who is always trying, every day, to be the best I can be.
Maybe this sounds exactly what you hope for this year as well, but maybe you hadn’t put your finger on it yet. Or maybe it’s completely opposite to what you’re looking for.
In the end, it really doesn’t matter. As long as you are open to being you – honestly and with total abandon.
Are you up for it? Leave me a comment below and let’s talk about what your year is going to be about.
Also, I still have a few spots left for coaching for the end of January and early February. I’m looking at you, my fellow adventurer, and I’m telling you, it’s time to step up and be you. Email me if you want to know more.
Written with so much honesty and authenticity 🙂 Also, I love that i’m not the only one who has over-flowing notebooks (or should I say a house over-flowing WITH notebooks…) with ideas that don’t always eventuate!
Oh Leila, I’m so happy you said that, I thought it was just me 😉 And thank you, that’s so lovely of you to say x
Love this hunny!! I also decided not to make any New Year resolutions this year….such a freeng moment! LOVE love love “Be You” and if I add anything Own It…the perfect anitdote for 2015 xx
Thanks, Lyndsey! Yes owning it is definitely the perfect way to follow up ‘be you’. So glad you love it x
Great article! So happy to be learning from you in Beautiful You! I love how you styled my photo! Looks so beautiful here on your site. Love! ❤️❤️
Ohh Christine, thank you so much for the beautiful photos. The second I saw it, I knew it was perfect for this post. I’m so excited that you’re doing the course, it’s so incredible xx
It makes me so happy and honored! I hope you find use for my other images one day as well! I can see how much beautiful visuals create a lovely environment on your site! And yes! I am so excited about Beautiful You, and to learn from you. Thank you so much for being such an inspiration. You are a great writer too. I am enjoying your blog so much. So happy we connected! Sending hugs. Xoxoxo
I’m sure that I will, they’re wonderful! You create the most gorgeous visuals and I look forward to getting to know you more, lovely xx