Great thread SWOT, thanks!
This is my "me" year. I'm putting myself as the priority. I've notified everyone of this too!!
For instance, every single year during Christmas, I've spent my bonus and/or any monies that I received on everyone else. I've done that my whole life. This year I not only didn't do that, I purchased a bunch of new clothes that are a different style then my usual look. I lost about 25 pounds on that plant based/whole foods diet and I'm feeling pretty good, hence new clothes.........for ME!
It's an interesting shift of focus for me. I have always considered others before myself, and I am not doing that now.....I am really focusing on myself......which took one hell of a commitment let me tell you! And that new focus changes so much. AND, it's a lot more fun too!
I haven't articulated it quite yet but it feels like loving myself differently, better. Accepting myself. Giving up my own form of perfectionism. Letting go of things I can't control and allowing life as it shows up. All of that listening to Eckhart Tolle must have gotten absorbed somehow because I am better at staying in the moment, in the present, and feeling a heap of gratitude when I do. Gratitude makes a world of difference. That lack of trying to control life lightens everything up, it's like a giant anvil was removed from my shoulders. I've always loved to laugh yet now it has a spontaneous, lighthearted feeling to it....
I want to have a lot more fun this year too. To PLAY, to crack up, to 'lighten up' on all levels. I've done the drama dance for a long time, it's definitely time for a new dance step.
I don't jump in to "help" these days, I learned how to "refrain" and let go which interesting gives those I would have ordinarily "helped" the room to figure it out for themselves now. I am now merely a "coach" or a cheer leader for my daughter and granddaughter, I am not their main source of anything........well except for love, I'm still that. They're in their lives and I'm in mine......and we're all thriving. (Not just surviving, like it used to be.)
I'm so much more compassionate towards myself. I am kinder to myself and give myself breaks, I used to barrel through things regardless of how I felt, just to get the 'job' done, and now I consider my energy level, my willingness or lack of willingness.......I intend on expanding on all of that.
I think the bottom line for me is finding the sense of fulfillment I feel I'm on the brink of.......experiencing more meaning, more satisfaction......I'm finding my passion for various things......looking for adventure.......on every level it just feels as if my life went from black and white to color and I believe and intend on making those colors even more brilliant this year.
Last year was mostly about healing and health and resting......this year feels more active and passionate. I'm the most authentic ME I've ever been and I'm definitely going to broaden that in every possible way.......