New Year Intentions- Awakening & Clarity

Five years ago, I started picking new year intentions or words to encapsulate my goals and vision for the year ahead. Since then, it has become my practice come January to think about the year and what I want to focus on. This year I have selected two words that I think go hand and in hand with one another: Awakening & Clarity.

Unbeknownst to me, I began my awakening last year. It has been a slow, deliberate, and sometimes, painful process of deep introspection, evaluation and contemplation. I’ve taken a step back from most of what used to keep me busy to allow myself time to simmer, percolate and unwind in safe spaces. I’ve started to untangle from relationships that no longer serve me and to be deliberate and intentional with whom I spend time and let into my life.

I made a conscious effort at the end of last year to minimize my use of social media and to only post about social justice issues that hit at the core of who I am (the notable exception was a post about my daughter’s bday). For me, it’s been quite cathartic to not post all my social happenings and to be present in those moments that I used to post about. It has also been helpful to use social media in a way that is aligned with who I am- a human rights advocate. However, I’ve had to unlearn much of my unhealthy social media behavior. It’s taken me months to get out of the mindset that if I don’t post something, is it worth happening? (Yes, def worth happening.) Or, is it OK to not have the world know about every detail about my life? (Absolutely OK!) And the negative aspects of social media of constant comparison, body shaming, and life/home/clothing/makeup envy are equally difficult to overcome. I’ve found that it’s been much more meaningful to text my loved ones directly with pictures and musings of my life, including travel and special moments. It’s also OK for some things to be private. All of these processes are complicated and messy and for every step forward, I’ve experienced that one + step backward. It’s imperfect but I think an honest evaluation of the meaning of social media in my life has been a big part of my awakening.

Another component to my awakening has been laying off the booze. I’ve been partaking in Dry January for the past few years and I’ve found the month of sobriety to be welcomed, refreshing and eye-opening. At the end of last month, my family and I took a trip to India (it was incredible!) and without planning, it ended up being a dry vacation. Much to my surprise, I had an incredible time! I was able to relish in the company of my children and husband, enjoy the sites and the food, all without the burdens of alcohol.

What started at the end of last year has carried into this year and I am super happy about it. Most days, you can find me in bed and asleep by 9:30PM and awake by 5-5:15AM. My morning routine has gotten an upgrade thanks to being dry as well- I’ve gone from journaling every day to adding in a daily surya namaskar (sun salutation) practice, brief meditation, and daily Bhagavad Gita (Hindu spiritual scripture) reading. My goal is to finish, absorb and try to understand the Gita by the end of the year. I’ve also started to take my health more seriously and have committed to eating better, strength training and walking along with training for another half-marathon (as soon as the snow/ice melt!).

All of these small habits and changes have helped me in my awakening journey. I know there is so much more to go, but I feel the cobwebs clearing and finally, I am able to think, breathe and rest a little easier. I hope that in the coming weeks and months to continue unlearning much of the toxic achievement culture that I’ve been a part of my whole life which will bring me to my second intention for the new year: clarity. I want to be more clear in who I am, what brings me joy, what direction I want to take in my personal and professional life, and with whom I want to spend my time. With this clarity I hope to take on new roles and responsibilities that are aligned with me and my family. Progress will be slow, but I’ve learned to be OK with that!

I wish you all a happy 2024 and that you may set intentions that are true to who you are and where you are going on this journey called life. Happy New Year!