There is no better time to heal than now. It’s easy to put off doing the inner work because it can be hard. There will be times when self reflection can seem brutal and discouraging. We can be our own worse critic but if your criticism is in a constructive way it can truly benefit you. Just make sure you’re not tearing yourself down to a place you can’t pull up from. The goal is to see, reflect, and work on changing for the better. If you keep this in mind and stay focused you will be okay.

When you realize the power of your thoughts you will start to be more intentional about guiding them. Your focus will be more on how they play a role in where you are in life. Are your thoughts encouraging, fostering creativity, bringing joy? Hold yourself accountable for the things you input into your mind which become your thoughts.

It is so important to recognize what things are causing us not to have good interactions with others. It could be feelings that we have towards them that we have not yet recognized or confronted within ourselves. This can create internal tension between us and them. Just because we’re not saying the things that bother us, doesn’t mean they are not coming out in our behavior towards the person. It’s best to acknowledge the true feelings to resolve them and move forward. Especially if it is someone you will continue to interact with.

Relationships CAN be fickle but they do not have to be. When there is intentional effort to connect and make a commitment to be a good friend you will see a difference in that relationship. When you provide and receive genuine support it creates a solid foundation in your friendships. HOW friends show up matters to me. If you’re coming with the energy of not wanting to be present, stay home. Trust me sis your friend senses the negative energy. Sometimes you have to go on separate paths from those you once considered friends and that’s okay. I chose to be in one-sided friendships in the past. I am now taking ownership in setting boundaries and creating space if needed to connect more with those who match my energy. I am learning that instead of feeling like I have to pull back on my positive traits that may be “too much” for some I am now connecting with those who thrive off connection with others as well. It has been a freeing experience and true peace.

How you take care of yourself when you’re under stress can determine how you come out of these moments. When you do things that nourish your body it helps to endure these challenging times and can prevent mental and emotional breakdown. Don’t wait until you’re drowning. Use those life savers before you start to sink!

Often times there is upset and frustration regarding the expectations others place on us. Have you ever thought about the ways you may have contributed to these expectations? When you do not reveal all parts of yourself and only your representative, this creates a false narrative of who you are. It is your responsibility to show up authentically. It helps build genuine connections with others as well as a healthy relationship. It is time to take the mask off and be You!

Are you able to describe the image you see of yourself? If you’re having a hard time answering this question I encourage you to do some self reflecting. Self reflecting helps you to evaluate why you function the way you do. There is always a “why” attached to your thought process and behavior you just have to figure out what it is. It’s time to unlearn what’s not healthy for you.

Saying good-bye can be hard. The good thing is, usually this means other opportunities to look forward to. Life goes on whether we are ready or not so, it’s better to do your best to embrace the changes. Self reflecting on the pros and cons of 2023 can help you continue to thrive on your life journey. Remember to give yourself and others grace as you take it all in and move forward. Saying goodbye to things of the past IS a good thing, if you choose to see the positives in it.

Being in community with others and having a shoulder to lean on can do wonders for our well-being. I am a believer that two is better than one and three or more is even better! We are stronger in numbers and our strength combined can move mountains. So let’s us connect, uplift, and step in for one another. Let us challenge ourselves to help in any way we can.

Don’t let life get the final knock out keep going! You have every thing you need to push through every challenge you face. Be your own cheerleader and get back up. Keep your eyes on the prize and remember if you don’t give up there is a great reward at the end. So hang in there!