Resting in the Year That Was
How often do you give yourself permission to stop and breathe? As the sun sets on 2024, it offers an opportunity to look back—not with judgment, but with curiosity and compassion—and acknowledge just how much you’ve navigated.
For many of us, life has been full of transitions, challenges, and responsibilities. Maybe you’ve found yourself stretched thin between caring for your family, managing your career, and showing up for everyone else. Perhaps there have been moments when you felt you had to push through, even when your body and mind begged for rest.
I get it. This year has been one of tremendous change and growth for me too. Launching my business—while deeply fulfilling—meant coming face-to-face with my own limiting beliefs. I’ve also faced health challenges, celebrated my youngest finishing Year 12, and grieved the loss of dear friends alongside my husband. Life has demanded a lot, and I know it’s been the same for so many of you.
But as we reach the final weeks of the year, I want to invite you to do something radical: rest in the year that was, just as it is.
A Year Worth Acknowledging
When you think back on the past 12 months, do you see how much you’ve accomplished—not just on paper, but in how you’ve shown up for yourself and others?
It’s easy to focus on what we didn’t do, the goals we didn’t hit, or the ways we fell short. But what if we chose a different lens? What if we celebrated the strength it took to get through the hard days, the courage it took to keep moving forward, and the love we gave, even when we felt empty?
For me, this year has been about embracing imperfection and leaning into purpose. I’ve learned that life isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about showing up authentically and being willing to rewrite the old stories we’ve been told about what’s possible.
So, as you reflect on your year, I encourage you to ask:
What moments made you feel proud of yourself?
How did you grow, even through the tough times?
Where can you give yourself grace for simply doing your best?
The Power of Rest and Reflection
We’re often told to keep going—to be everything for everyone. But what if we allowed ourselves to pause? Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity, especially when we’ve spent the year pouring our energy into so many directions.
Resting doesn’t mean stopping your momentum. It means creating space to honor what you’ve been through, reconnect with yourself, and decide how you want to move forward.
This year, I’ve learned that balance isn’t about doing it all. It’s about doing what matters. Some days, that looked like saying no to things that didn’t align with my values. Other days, it meant prioritising rest over productivity.
Carrying Forward What Matters
As we look to the year ahead, I believe it’s worth shifting our focus from perfection to purpose. Instead of making resolutions that feel like more pressure, what if we set intentions that honour who we are and what we truly need?
This might look like:
Letting go of roles or commitments that no longer serve you.
Creating space for things that bring you joy and peace.
Trusting yourself to know what’s right for you, even if it doesn’t look like what others expect.
This is Your Moment
Remember this: you’ve done enough, you are enough, and you’re worthy of the love and care you so freely give to others.
So, take a breath. Honour the person you’ve been this year. And step into the new one with a heart full of compassion—for yourself, your journey, and all that’s yet to come.