The Rundown
I wanted to share a snapshot of the reflecting and planning I have been doing for the new year! Coming up, I will share a simple reflection on last year, my word for the upcoming year, a journal prompt I love, my goals, and my ins & outs. I hope when you finish reading you have found new inspiration to fuel your 2024 planning or simply permission to rest and greet the new year gently.
Reflecting on 2023
My word for 2023 was rooted. I chose that word initially because I wanted to focus on being rooted right where we were - in our home in Chattanooga. Jackson and I had talked about moving but had decided to stay, so my goal was to be grounded in our city and our community.
Last year taught me the value of making home right where I am - even while I may be working towards or dreaming of something different for the future.
So while I initially chose rooted as a hope for my relationship with my physical home, I became rooted even more in things that are transferable.
I became more rooted in my faith, actually believing that it sustains me and that He hears me. I deepened the roots in my marriage - trusting each other, dreaming together, and building a life that is ours. I became more rooted in my own person through counseling, finding ways to be at home in myself, and sorting through emotions I had not before. After 2023, I feel more rooted in who I want to be - habits, rhythms, intentions, dreams, hopes, and goals. Holding them all with an open hand.
A Journal Prompt
“How can you go gently into the new year, honoring the fact that it’s still winter?”
I got this journal prompt in an email before the new year, and I really loved it. Our new year is arbitrary, a made-up time limit. While the calendar flips to January 1st, it is still the same winter we were in on December 31st.
So wherever you fall on this New Year’s Day - motivated or tired - trust that inspiration will come again, and you do not have to rush.
My Word for 2024
I don’t know yet what 2024 will hold. Possibly a move. Hopefully more dancing. Maybe trying some new things like sourdough and talking to strangers.
But most of all I want to focus on presence.
My presence in the present moment. Enjoying the presence of others. Becoming a peaceful presence. Cultivating a Heavenly presence in our home. Being in His presence.
This is my focus for the year.
2024 Goals
Usually, I just write my goals out on a piece of paper or type them in a list, but this year, my mind decided to arrange them in more of a map / web. If you are looking for a new or more creative way to plan out your goals, try doodling them instead!
These are my goals for the upcoming year.
Ins & Outs
The last few days of the year, I saw a trend going around on social media where people were posting their ins and outs for the new year. An in is something you want to start / do more and an out is something you want to stop / do less.
I had such a fun time reading other people’s’ lists and such a fun time writing my own! While goals often feel intimidating, these felt very approachable, and I loved incorporating them into my dreaming and planning for this year.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas season and a very happy new year. If you have someone you think would enjoy reading my newsletter in 2024, I would so appreciate you sharing it with them!
Take care,
Caroline