Why I'm Choosing to End the Year Softly

For once.

It’s the last day of the year and in many parts of the world, it’s already 2024.

There’s always such an emphasis on ending the year “strong” in the U.S., that even thinking about it this year exhausts me. Normally, I’d be the first to be determined to get to the finish line and be the first to do everything AND “finish strong.”

But no más. I came across the following IG post and it actually made me stop.

This post made me consciously shift my perspective. “You don’t always have to end in a strong note, you may slow down.” You can? That’s an option? That’s news to me!

This year was a lot of things and as someone who writes and talks about women’s health, for the first time in a while, this year really brought my own into focus. After taking care of everyone else’s health all the time, as so many women do or have no option, I started taking care of me.

I found and stuck to a personal trainer who forces me to show up for myself! I feel grateful for the second chance I have with my body after last year’s #MommyMakeover.

Working out regularly also has huge positive benefits for my mental health. Everything they say is true! It’s also the best way to age well and smart. Viewing working out as anti-aging has been a game-changer for me.

Maybe as we try to end the year soft, we also reevaluate what we think of as “strong”? I found this quote from Mindset Expert, Michelle Attias who writes:

Strong doesn’t necessarily mean successful, wealthy, famous or having the capability of earning yourself a celebrity status. It simply requires that you become the grounded tree trunk that stays firm, no matter how many winds forcefully try to uproot you, and from this state, being able to choose how you move forewords. This is how we build our strength.

I couldn’t have written it better myself.

Wishing you a very happy and healthy new year!