A Reflection on 2024
2024 was a year of profound transformation for me and it started with a simple yet powerful mantra: "May I love myself just the way I am." At the time, I didn’t fully understand how much this intention would challenge me ... or how deeply it would change me. You see...loving myself as I am hasn’t always been easy, and this year, it became a practice that shaped the way I am moving through life.
Looking back, I can see how this mantra became the foundation of my journey ... how it invited me to soften, to forgive, to show up imperfectly, and to trust that who I am, in all my messy humanity, IS ENOUGH. Moreover, in embracing this mantra, I experienced what felt like a quiet revolution within me, one that touched every part of my life, and that will continue to nourish me.
The Courage to Show Up Imperfectly
When I first chose this mantra, I actually didn’t understand how much it would ask of me; one of the biggest lessons it taught me was the courage to show up imperfectly, and that was really scary for my nervous system. It made sense, though! For much of my life, I wrestled with perfectionism ... that inner voice telling me to get everything "just right" before stepping into the world. And this year, I began to see perfectionism for what it truly is: a somatic shield that kept me from being fully seen, a well-meaning protector trying to guard the vulnerable parts of my inner child.
Letting go of that story and letting that somatic shield be, has been an ongoing struggle; it’s hard to set down something that feels so protective..it takes a lot of satety and trust. But it’s also been freeing. Each time I lean into the messy, the unpolished, and the real, trusting that it's safe, I feel a little braver. Whether it’s sharing my heart with friends, posting imperfect videos on Instagram, or leading groups for the first time, I let myself be seen as I am. And while it’s often terrifying, it’s also deeply connecting and liberating.
In my work, I started trusting my authenticity more. I told myself, It’s okay if this isn’t perfect. What matters is showing up for those who need to hear this. And as I showed up ... in summits, social media videos, and group sessions ... something magical happened: I felt more connected to the people I was serving. My message became clearer, my creativity flourished, and I launched two challenges this year that brought me and my community so much joy: the Gratitude Glow-Up Challenge and the Playfulness Challenge.
This wasn’t just about professional growth, it was about finding alignment in every part of my life. AND...the more purpose and authenticity I brought to my work, the more intentional I became in my parenting. Purpose fed into every part of who I was becoming, and it felt like my heart was expanding.
Forgiving Myself Faster
Parenting, of course, has a way of keeping us humble, doesn't it? This year, I had plenty of moments where I lost my patience, made mistakes, or said things I regretted. Those moments used to spiral me into shame, for days ... But this year, with my mantra in mind, I tried something different: I met myself with compassion.
When I felt the weight of a mistake, I would pause and remind myself:
This is a hard moment.
I’m a good mom, having a hard time. My child is a good child, having a hard time.
I haven’t ruined my child. I can repair and do better next time.
These words became like a lifeline, pulling me back to center. They reminded me that my mistakes didn’t define me ... what mattered was HOW I showed up afterward. Repairing with my kids became not just about reconnecting with them, but about reconnecting with myself. This practice of self-compassion also inspired me to create the Anger Map, a tool to help parents navigate their emotions and find moments of repair and growth. You can learn more about the Anger Map here. Each time I chose compassion over criticism, I felt a little lighter, a little freer.
Offering More Compassion to Others
Something beautiful happened as I practiced loving myself more fully: I noticed how it changed the way I related to others. When I forgave myself faster, I found it easier to extend that same grace to those around me. When I gently quieted my inner critic, I could meet others with more empathy and understanding.
This was especially true in my parenting. Instead of reacting to my kids’ challenging behaviors with frustration, I tried to meet them with curiosity and care. It wasn’t always easy to see the good intentions behind their challenging behaviors, because that had long been a mental model I struggled with. And, as I learned to see the good intentions behind my own unskillful behavior (recognizing my anger as a protector of unmet needs or parts of me that had been pushed aside), I began to extend that same understanding to my children. The result? Our moments of connection felt deeper, more significant.
Compassion also made repair easier!!! When I approached others with understanding and grace, especially my children, I opened the door to meaningful conversations and reconnections after difficult moments. It allowed me to model taking responsibility for our unskillfulness which in turn invited my children to repair with me, with each other, and with their friends, too. In those moments, I saw how compassion creates ripples, touching not only our relationships, but the way we move through the world.
The Power of Intention
This year, I also came to appreciate just how powerful intentions can be. My mantra wasn’t just a set of words, it was a touchstone, something I could return to when life felt overwhelming. It helped me stay aligned with my values, even in the messiest of moments.
When I felt untethered, I would pause and ask myself:
What do I care about most in this moment?
How can I show up with love and authenticity?
These simple questions became like a compass, guiding me back to what truly mattered: connection, presence, and love. My somatic practice of centering also played a key role in this: repeatedly grounding myself in what I care about has helped me create an embodied option for navigating challenging moments. Over time, this practice became more than just a tool ... it became a deeply ingrained response. And while I continue to practice, I know that centering is now something I can rely on to stay connected to my values/my purpose/what i care about, even when life feels overwhelming.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As I look toward 2025, I know this mantra will stay with me, not as a goal to achieve, but as a practice to live by. Loving myself just as I am doesn’t mean I stop growing; it means I grow from a place of compassion instead of judgment. And that's a powerful motivator!
This year taught me that real transformation isn’t about striving for perfection. It’s about showing up, making mistakes, and staying rooted in what matters most. It’s about trusting that I’m enough, and that my imperfections are part of what makes me beautifully human.
As the new year approaches, I’m reminded that resolutions often feel rigid and unattainable ... But mantras and intentions? They’re different! They give us a framework ... one that makes space for mistakes, setbacks, and, most importantly, self-compassion.
So, I want to invite you: What intention, mantra, or word could guide you in 2025? Maybe it’s something gentle yet powerful, a reminder of who you are and who you’re becoming. Let it be your guiding light, and let’s see where it takes us.
A Somatic Practice to Find Your Guiding Light
If you’re not sure where to begin, I invite you to try this gentle somatic practice. It’s a way to connect with your inner self and uncover the intention or word that feels right to guide you in 2025:
Find a Quiet Space: Sit comfortably in a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed. Place your feet flat on the ground, and let your hands rest gently in your lap or by your sides, wherever they feel most comfortable. Ask yourself, “Could I feel more comfortable?” Then adjust as needed: shift your position, grab a blanket, or take a sip of water.
Ground Yourself: Take a few deep breaths, feeling the support of the ground beneath you. As you breathe, notice, sense and feel areas of warmth, ease, tension, contraction, or even numbness. Allow them to be as they are, without judgment or resistance. Continue to breathe deeply and with each exhale, allow your body to soften a little more.
Turn Inward: Close your eyes if that feels safe, or gently lower your gaze. Bring your awareness to your heart center or another area in your body where you feel warmth or connection.
Ask the Question: Then, quietly ask yourself, “What do I need most to guide me in the year ahead?” or “What word or intention feels true for me right now?” and allow the answer rise from within the depths of your soma, your body.
Listen Without Judgment: Be open to what arises. It might be a word, an image, a sensation, or even an emotion. Trust whatever comes up, even if it’s subtle or unexpected.
Hold It Gently: Once something emerges, sit with it for a moment. Breathe into it, and notice how it feels in your body. Does it bring a sense of ease, clarity, or alignment? How do you know?
Write It Down: When you feel ready, open your eyes and write down what came up for you. This is your guiding light, your touchstone for the year ahead. Then, take a moment to thank yourself for this moment of connection with yourself.
Closing Reflection
To anyone reading this: May you, too, find the courage to love yourself just as you are. May you discover the power of setting an intention that grounds you, challenges you, and transforms you.
What was your guiding intention or mantra for 2024? How did it shape your year? I’d love to hear your reflections in the comments below.
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Be well, my friend! We've got this!
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