My Theme for 2023
In late October I began to see a chiropractor. I had been having back and neck pain for some time, and my body felt out off. Plus, I had hit my health care deductible for the year, so I figured there was no better time (ha! #realtalk). My intake visit required a lot of paperwork, including an extensive questionnaire. I was a bit frustrated, since I just wanted him to crack my back a few times and send me on my way. Instead, I found myself writing down everything from my daily nutrition and exercise norms, to my sleep habits, surgical history, and so much more. When I went in for my first visit, we talked through my goals - I simply wanted to feel better. I wasn’t feeling like myself. I was out of alignment. Something felt off.
I became pregnant with Adriana in 2018, which means the last full year I had without being pregnant or nursing a child was 2017 - five years ago. Over the course of that time, my body changed a lot. And beyond that, my mind and my spirit did too. Most of it is absolutely for the better - and at the same time, I have also become depleted in many ways. This past year led to complete burnout, and I’m just beginning to recover from it.
My first chiropractic adjustment felt great - I walked out of the office with my neck a little straighter, my posture better. And the next day? I was sore. But, the good kind of sore. The kind I haven’t felt in a while, the kind that reminds me that I’m doing something my body needs. I’ve spent the past two months going to the office almost weekly, and it has been a reminder of what’s possible when we take the time to listen to our needs, accept them, and make necessary changes.
Over the past year, I have spent a lot of time building blocks (and magnatiles!) with my children. The towers we build are impressive, and we are always seeking to build something bigger and better. And yet - making sure the base of the tower is structurally sound is the most important job of all. When you rush, the tower will inevitably fall over, requiring you to start again. But when you take the time to ensure that foundation is sound, you can build something that you couldn’t even imagine at first.
These lessons - and more - have led to my theme for 2023.
Nurture + Build.
I have a vision for what my next five years will look like, and I need to start building the foundation from the ground up. And at the same time, I must nurture my mind, body and spirit, to make sure that I am well and able to build what I am imagining. Both of these concepts require time, intentionality, and patience. Both are words I commit to coming back to every single day, as I make choices both small and big.
What will this look like? To start, I have already cleared and rebuilt my Streaks App, which is my favorite habit-building tracker. I put realistic goals for what I hope to accomplish each day, week, and month, so I can track my progress over time. This includes professional goals, like taking important steps towards building my coaching practice and learning new things to do my job more effectively. And it also includes self-care priorities, like making sure I’m walking each day, using my acupressure mat, and nurturing my soul.
I’ll bring these words into every facet of my life: motherhood, marriage, work, friendships, family, community, and beyond. I’ll seek to nurture myself and those around me, build for what’s next, and of course, be present in the right now.
What is YOUR theme for 2023? I can’t wait to hear all about it. If you haven’t decided on one, I recommend you take a look at the process I use each year. It’s never too late to try something new, to start again, or to reset. Here’s to the year ahead - may it be everything you need it to be.
