As we approach the New Year, we will shift our focus to a fresh start and to changing old ways. I love a clean slate as much as the next person, but I saw a thought provoking question on Instagram the other day:

If you could write a note to the YOU from a year ago,

to prepare for the year ahead…what would you say?

We draw our focus and attention forward, but how about pausing to reflect on what we have learned during the course of this previous year? Why don’t we value all of it- the good, the bad and the ugly? Let’s slow down and note our progress and affirm where we are right now. Let’s stop and witness our growth. Let’s remember that we are enough, right here and right now.

I will set goals of course for this next year; it’s refreshing and energizing to brainstorm the ways we want to better our lives and ourselves. But this year, I will also stop and look backward to see where I have come from. It is with this reflection and insight that we can better prepare ourselves for what’s to come and remain rooted to our sense of self.

So without further ado, here is my letter to my 2014 self one year ago:

Dear 2014 Adrienne,

This will be a year of growth, perhaps your biggest and most difficult year yet. Over time you will reconnect with who you are and what matters to you. You will question, search and discover. It will cause heartache and it will be challenging. You will, however, learn what it feels like to listen to your gut. You will learn to listen to your heart. You will learn that you have control over your life.

You will also reconnect with old friends and make new ones you never expected. You will live in a new city and will begin to create a lifestyle you really enjoy. You will start a blog and you will love it! You will begin to understand that following your heart towards things that make you happy will open doors and start conversations that you never expected to happen.

Most importantly, you will learn that you know exactly who you are and what you need. You may need some gentle reminders from your new therapist, but she will remind you of your insight and emotional intelligence. You will feel empowered to trust yourself. Adrienne, you are enough. You will enter the next year as your most beautiful and awesome self to date.

Be brave.

With love and compassion,

The 2015 Adrienne

WTF would you tell yourself?