As I lay in bed now, trying to think of how to write this post, I decided to read last year’s new year’s post. The past week I had thought I hadn’t fulfilled a single resolution, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover I fulfilled half of my 2023 goals!
Be gentle and patient with myself. Read more books again. Be self-accepting. Be more self-accepting than that. Laugh more. Laugh at yourself. Paint and draw again. Edit and upload your vlogs. Regularly update this blog and your Instagram. Learn how to make reels and post them. Speak out more, use your voice. Put yourself first. Drink more water. Maintain structure but never forget to leave room for magic. Always make room for love and magic. Don’t forget people do like you. Don’t forget, you matter.
Above all, aim to be the person I needed when I was younger. I owe that to little Ana and current Ana the most.
I’m so proud to write that I’ve become gentle and patient with myself, as well as some level of self-accepting. I started reading books more consistently (slowly but surely). I’ve been putting myself first, speaking out more, and using my voice- none of it online. I’ve started to become the person I needed, and I feel pride in that.
It’s more than okay that I didn’t realize all of my goals last year. I started focusing on real life and trying to deal with the real world and my mind since August 2023.
In September, various events sparked a depressive episode, which caused me to become completely and severely antisocial. I haven’t used Instagram since September and I haven’t missed it much. I do want to get back on it, but I’m giving myself grace.
I could easily talk about 2023 yet I happily bid adieu to a strange yet satisfying year. I ended the year completely different than to how it began (to name a few things- bought a house, began working full-time with a pleasant career change, putting myself first) and it feels so good to say that.
I have only two resolutions for 2024. First, continue to prioritize myself. Second, continue to live in the present moment and put aside thoughts/worries about what ifs, the past, and the future.
I invite you to do the same.
Happy New Year to you and your loved ones, and thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts.