Cheers to the year that was!
Happy New Year friends!
Were you ready to flip the calendar to 2024 yesterday? I’ve been hearing a lot of rumblings of “let’s get this year over with already” lately. There is no shame in that, this year has been really challenging for a lot of people. And while I don’t think there is a “right” way to reflect and plan, I’ll admit my bias here. I believe that taking a few moments to consider the past year and what went well is important. It’s a way to honor yourself and all the effort you put into the last 12 months.
No matter your thoughts on New Year traditions, my suggestion is that you do not pass go, do not collect $200, do not have your champagne toast until you’ve decided something to celebrate about this past year!
Even if you feel like this year has been total crap and you can’t wait to turn the calendar, something did go right! You handled something well. You learned something. You are proud of something you did. What is it? Not to sound cheesy but… this year was a gift. Every year is a gift. Even the hard ones. What is at least one thing you can celebrate? How were you part of making that thing happen?
Below is one of my answers to that question and some other select thoughts on how I showed up in 2023. It’s been quite the year, thanks for being part of it!
What am I celebrating from 2023? (And how was I part of making that happen?)
I’m celebrating how I’ve learned to talk to myself. You know… those conversations in your head that sometimes sound like an epic battle with a not so nice version of you? I've officially called a truce and learned to talk to myself like I actually like me! Because I do like me! Of course it isn’t perfect. I’ve spent years beating myself up in my brain and that voice may never completely vanish, but it's like I’ve upgraded from a grumpy roommate in my head to one who mostly stays in her own room. That my friends is something to celebrate!
What did I learn about myself?
OK ready for a biggy? Don’t laugh - I’m serious. I learned that I can put my face on Instagram without meeting an untimely demise. (OK fine, you can chuckle.) But seriously, this was a huge thing for me. I know that sounds dramatic but my brain truly believed that I would perish from this earth once I hit publish on an Instagram video that showed myself talking.
I’m happy to report that I learned that I can survive saying words into a camera (shock and awe). And, not only survive, but enjoy the connection that comes from those videos. I’m proud of how my Instagram profile that began as mostly pictures of the gorgeous and photogenic Totten Frisch (don’t worry, he’s not going anywhere) has undergone a transformation. It now features a mix of content, including videos where I spill my stories and share my voice. Diving into the realm of videos has been really hard. That’s ok. I can do hard things. You can too!
What worked in 2023 that I want to expand on in 2024?
I love this question. So many of us try to “start new” without considering what has been working. I prefer to not start from scratch. We put in work last year, let’s not let it be wasted. So what worked for me this year? So many fun things and I’ll just share one. Constraint!
Oh my gosh do I love to consume information. If you have a podcast, an article, a program, a menu, anything that I can read, learn, consume in some way. I want it. If you are selling something that may help me grow professionally or personally, I am your dream customer! If I connect with you and think you’re a cool human… game over. TAKE MY MONEY. I’m fine with that. I’m supporting the economy! And… I’ve learned that it can lead me to conflate consumption with action.
In the past few months I have consciously limited the amount of information I take in. Constraint may be a natural skill for some of you, but for my fellow overconsumers reading this… you feel me, right!?
As my business evolves I have a lot of ideas that I want to execute on including: Weekly emails, consistent monthly blogs, group programs, workshops, cleaner copy on my website, retreats… Most importantly, I always want to be focusing on the craft of coaching and honing my skills.
Knowing that I want to carry this new practice of constraint into 2024: My plan is to strategically focus on mastering one thing at a time before layering in the next. Well, two things. I will continually be working on one component of my business and focusing on improving one coaching skill. I will constantly be reminding myself that sometimes the fastest way to get somewhere is to slow down.
What do I want to leave behind in 2023?
I am leaving behind expectations of where I should have been by 12/31/2023. What I should have accomplished. Because you know what, if I didn’t get it done yet, I just miscalculated the timeline or how much work was required to get there. Nothing has gone wrong. I know more now and I get to take this knowledge with me into 2024. I am exactly where I am supposed to be. So are you!
Cheers to you 2023! Thank you for the lessons. Thank you for helping me become this version of me
And cheers to you my friend! Wishing you a wonderful New Year! Thank you for being part of my 2023. I’m truly grateful for each and every one of you. When the ball drops tonight I’ll be celebrating all that you did and who you became in 2023 and I hope you are doing the same!
Cheers!
Missy
p.s. Comment below your answer to any of the above questions!
