I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the stigma that surrounds the new year. I absolutely love the idea of fresh beginnings, but as a yoga teacher, I’m constantly guiding my students to see that every moment is a chance to start over. Each inhale offers a pause, and each exhale is an invitation to release. So while the new year can be a time to reflect, I’ve come to realize that I don’t like the pressure of setting resolutions or intentions.
Maybe it’s rooted in years of struggling with an all or nothing mindset, self-criticism, or the general societal expectation that we need to have a game plan for how to radically change and improve ourselves every January. For me that pressure doesn’t feel like freedom. It feels like another form of constraint.
But I don’t want to reject the new year altogether, because I do feel the beauty of a new cycle. It just doesn’t have to be about doing more, being better, or measuring myself against some unattainable standard. This year, I want to focus on something deeper. I want to focus on my essence.
Essence is that core, unchanging part of me. It’s not about what I do or achieve, but about simply being. My essence is constant. It’s the part of me that is already whole, already enough. I’ve realized that by focusing on my essence, I’m not trying to be anyone else or do something different. Instead I’m just allowing myself to be as I am and trusting that everything is unfolding in the way it’s meant to.
2024 has helped me to learn how to let go of the pressure to have all the answers or to know exactly what will come next. I’m releasing the idea that I need to have a clear, rigid plan for self-improvement. This year is about leaning into celebrating all the wins, no matter the size. And if that means taking things slowly, or not having it all figured out, that’s okay.
I trust (it’s been an ongoing journey of learning to trust) that the universe has my back and that everything is working out in its own way, in its own time. I don’t need to push or strive for anything. I can simply trust, be, and celebrate the unfolding of my journey. This year, I’m working on shifting my mindset from lack to abundance, knowing that the more I honor my essence, the more I align with everything I need.
The word of the year Celebrate
The color of the year is pistachio green—calm, fresh, and grounding.
Craving mindful comfort—studio ghibli movies, lavender baths, hot tea, squares of chocolate (do I dare make a pistachio butter cups???), snuggled up reading <3
Feel free to share any new year reflections you have had! To a happy January <3
I resonate with this so much! Definitely leaning into feelings of trust and abundance this new year. Often, I get stressed by things that are somewhat outside of my control or spend hours worrying over things that don’t really matter in the long run. Besides, everything I’ve ever worried about somehow subsided and unfolds into magic ✨
Such beautiful reminders as always, Natalie! I made a little in/out list this year but nothing else, and even that is mostly filled with stuff I'm already doing somewhat regularly. New beginnings are nice but doing the things I know and love is usually even better <3