Another Year Older, Another Chance To Reflect On What’s Truly Important

Warning, prepare for a stream of consciousness!

Have you ever taken the time to reflect on your life, on the stages you’ve gone through and what mattered most to you in each stage?

I try to do a yearly reflection each year on my birthday. Just a little mini ‘look at where I started and where I am now’ exercise.

But rarely do I put it all into a timeline. This year, I did.

Back in high school and college, everything was so superficial. In our early married years, things were slightly less selfish and more thoughtful.

But it wasn’t until we had kids that we realized the purpose of every intention. That we had tiny lives to grow, nurture, and protect.

That they’d quickly make us realize that every superficial and materialistic tendency we’ve ever had were totally not worth the trouble.

And it wasn’t until this past year that I truly realized the importance of living intentionally, decorating intentionally, gifting intentionally, and making sure everything I do has some kind of meaning associated with it.

Why?

Because there just isn’t time to waste when it comes to spending time, energy, and love with those we care for most.

And nothing teaches you that but age and the wisdom that comes along with it and learning what matters and what doesn’t.

This year I’ve gotten better at saying no to the things I don’t want to do. The things that won’t serve me.

I’ve stopped mentally asking myself, “But what will other people think?”

And I’ve started following my heart. I’ve started doing more for me, what serves me and my family, and I’ve started to let go of what doesn’t.

I began putting myself out there. Opening myself up to new opportunities. To acceptance and failure and rejection.

And every part of that has helped me grow so much.

And I hope I continue to refine these things in the year to come. That I continue to choose me and my family over everything else. That we keep creating a home that serves, loves, and protects us.

That we spend our time joyfully and intentionally together. With fewer distractions and more smiles.

That I can start to care less about messes and more about memories.

And that when I mess it all up, like I tend to do at some point every single day, that I will quickly course correct and get back on track so we don’t waste our precious time worrying about what doesn’t matter.

It’s all a process for me. It’s not easy. But it’s so worth it when I can get it right.

So while I’m proud of the growth I’ve made and in turn helped my family make over this past year, I have bigger goals to do more of the same this next year. To cherish every moment of every day. To choose things that bring me joy and say no to things that don’t.

To work on myself, to give more to my family and friends, and to allow myself grace over perfection.

And to continue to give back to my home in ways that allow it to give back to us. Because when the intention is there in all things, it makes a huge difference.

So I hope you’ll continue to join me for this wild ride as I continue to grow, learn, and fail a lot along the way.

What’s something you’ve learned this past year?