Fresh Slate
Welcome back lovelies and beau’s to the first post of 2025! I hope this new year is off to a good start for you. In this upcoming year, expect more series, personal stories, and advice. On my blog’s Instagram, I’ve already posted the schedule for the month of January. With the start of the new year comes a new series. This series is New Beginnings & Transformations. Within the series, I’ll share experiences that changed and transformed my life is 2024. Before I get too ahead of myself, let’s start the new year off strong.
New year, new slate, new you? If so, you got this beautiful. Make this the year that you live in authenticity. Follow your heart. Enjoy each and every moment that comes along. Once everything aligns in your life, you’ll feel this freeing sensation. Almost as if the world is brighter and more beautiful than you noticed before. You’ll be happier and more care-free. You’ll start gravitating towards all the things that light a fire in your soul. While your perspective and understandings of the world may change, you’ll remain who you’ve always been. It’ll just be a clearer, more confident version of you. Even if those who you surround yourself with say otherwise. Keep being you.
2024 was a perfectly imperfect year for me. A lot happened but the most important lesson I learned was the art of letting go. It is a life saver, literally and figuratively. The stress and anxiety of worrying out the what if’s and could be’s are long gone. If you find yourself in the midst of either, it’s not worth it to worry about neither are the scenarios of what might happen. I’m telling you right now, the sooner you learn to let go—and let God (depending on your beliefs), the better and easier your journey through life will be. Another important suggestion to note is that people may assume they know you but if they aren’t constantly seeking to understand you or the choices you make, they know nothing. So, continue on and keep them guessing. Life is about living after all.
As for last year’s New Year’s Resolution, my goal was to paint my nails each week as well as read 12 books—1 per month. I kept up with the nail polish for about half the year which was really good, in my own opinion. I eventually stopped when I no longer had a job as I no longer felt the pressure to appear a particular way. I still paint my nails on occasion but now it is for all the right reasons. Meanwhile, the reading resolution didn’t go quite as planned. So much so, I waited until the month of December to read five books. Here is a quick summary of those:
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz - On the cover, it says it’s the practical guide to personal freedom. I think as long as you are open to the suggestions, you can be. They are easy and practical.
If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin - It’s a fictional story about childhood friends as they go through life and how things could have been different.
The Generosity Ladder by Nelson Searcy - This book shares insight on giving to others and how it relates to God’s principals of how we should live our lives.
Simply Your Life by Eliana St. James - This book breaks down ways to clean out your life.
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu (English Translation) - This book shares wisdom and perspective on life.
I’ll also share these on my blog’s Instagram @inspire.those.who.inspire.you as well as any other books I may read throughout the year. Don’t hold your breath.
Now for this year’s resolutions, I have decided to switch things up. I follow Sisters Village on Instagram where they shared the following, “New Years resolutions often focus on becoming someone you’re not, wanting to be or achieve things you haven’t already. This year let’s focus on authenticity instead because the most powerful transformation happens when you align with your true self, not the idealized version of who you think you should be. Take the pressure off yourself and celebrate who you truly are”.
Whether this may resonate with you or not, I will focus on continuing my journey of authenticity this year. Outside of last year’s resolutions, I was able to accomplish many of my personal goals. I learned to put the love I so freely give to others into myself, I learned to enjoy my own company, and I took time to learn some new things. Rather, I chose to follow my heart than to listen to the opinions of others. And by doing so, I feel as though the weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel lighter, happier, and more content. There is no longer this need to conform and fit in. I no longer feel the pressure or restraints of life. Instead, everything is calmer, smoother, and more care-free. This feeling is something I want everyone to experience and relish in. You can just as I did.
To begin, you need to start by listening to your heart and following your true desires. Do activities or hobbies that make you happy. Find whatever it is that inspires a sense of creativity, passion, or motivation in your soul. Practice kindness to yourself and others. Reflect frequently on your journey through life. But most importantly, be you. You are beautiful as you are.
By remaining true to your authenticity, this may mean to continue on with the tradition of New Year’s Resolutions. If you do, more power to you. I hope you are able to achieve whatever you set your mind to and so much more. Whether I know you personally or not, I’m rooting for you every step of the way. Because if there is one thing I know for sure, it’s that you have the strength and ability within you to overcome any adversity that comes your way.
Have a happy, healthy, and enjoyable 2025! I will see you back here next Monday, January 13th, 2025, for another New Beginnings & Transformations post.
As a signature of this blog, I like to end each post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness”. There is no such time as the present to “Inspire Those Who Inspire You”. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better.
***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer***
