January Reflections and February Intentions

Your direction is more important than your speed.

Tatiana Soash

January felt like it lasted approximately 4,322 days, yet I still can’t believe it’s February.

I was sort of braced for the worst in January. Combined with the momentum of the holidays dying out and stupidly short days, I wasn’t sure how the first month of 2024 would play out.

Surprisingly well, actually!

I finished two books, made bone broth for the first time, got honest about my style rut, stayed more consistent with blogging, and made steps to conquering my fear of the weight room at the gym.

January gave me the gift of freedom – freedom to pivot my style, freedom to celebrate small delights, and freedom to push myself in new ways.

I can’t pinpoint the shift in my perspective or when this feeling took over, but January helped me to meet myself where I’m at.

A place of learning to trust myself, listen to myself, and quiet the voices in my head that try to convince me that this (gesticulates wildly) is all for nothing.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I’m in my rebuilding era. An era that’s gentle with my inner child, encourages play, and directs me to get very honest and still with how I want to show up in the world.

The word “rebuilding” gives me hope. Like some how, some way I know that ten years from now I’ll look back on this time of inquiry and wandering with nostalgia and a sense of gratitude for the foundation I built.

But even though I’m excited to build what’s to come, it’s really hard to let go of my inner critic. The voice that rains on my parade, pops my bubble and thieves away my own joy.

In an effort to quiet these voices, I wrote out five mantras above that I’m going to write out or say to myself every day. They are reminders that I know more than I think and am braver than I feel.

I want to create a ritual of speaking good things to myself.

I hope February is good to you and it’s whatever you need it to be.

Cheers!