Welcome to the first full month of 2021! It took me most of the month to realize I’d been writing the year as 2020 in my journal entries. It happens to the best of us. As it turns out, this year marks the beginning of anyone being born in the 1900s being of legal age to drink in America. How is that even possible? I swear the 1990s were no more than 15 years ago. The most exciting thing, in my opinion, that’s happened so far this year is the United States officially has our first female vice president. I saw a woman who’s pregnant with a daughter mention how her daughter will never know a world where a female vice president is unheard of in our country or not a possibility. That really hit me. I have faith that one day a woman will be the president. I never thought about the presidency much growing up, but I always assumed a man would assume that role. I never thought twice about it, though. Now I do and I’m thankful future generations of females won’t have to simply assume a male will be president. I’m grateful to be alive for this history making event.
Happenings
My New Year always starts with a day trip to the beach where my family and I take the time to write in the sand things we’d like to release from the previous year, as well as things we’d like to bring in to the New Year. After each word, we stand back and watch the waves wash it away. It always feels like a grounding way to start the New Year. For the first time, though, I couldn’t think of a single word to write down to have released from 2020. Not one. I think that’s a good thing, wouldn’t you say so? I did, however, come up with 3 words I was certain I wanted to remember in 2021. Choices. Alignment. Progress. Not that I want more choices, trust me there’s plenty in the world, but more acknowledging that I have the ability to make a choice. I can choose to align my outer self with my inner self and I can also choose to move forward rather than stay stagnant. I want to choose to let people see who I am and what I’m about. I also want to choose to not worry about reaching some “endpoint” and focus on consistently making progress. How do you go about a new year?
I technically graduated with my bachelors degree May of 2020, but the virtual ceremony was held yesterday. While the next logical step to further my education, if that’s what I chose to do, would be to go on to a masters degree, I’ve decided to enroll in some classes at the community college I previously attended. I know to many it could look like a step back, but I disagree. I got my bachelors degree in kinesiology and realized at some point during the process that it wasn’t the field I really wanted to be in. Although I’ve gone back and forth on wishing I had gone for something different that I did want to pursue, I wholeheartedly believe that the classes I took led me to the people I needed to meet. But now, it’s time to figure out my desired field. If anyone is in a similar boat, considering going back to school or changing their major, please don’t feel like you’re too old, behind, or like it’s a waste of your time and money. You have to do what’s best for you even if others don’t always get it.
Food for Thought
Could going backwards really be moving forward? Hear me out. As I said above, I’ve decided to go back to a community college after receiving my bachelor’s degree to figure out what career path I want to take. For me, it’s a big step forward, but I could see that society would view it as a step back. Similarly, is buying a 15 year old car a step back if it means your insurance is cheaper and you don’t have a car payment? Is using a flip phone a step back if it means less radiation, less time staring at a screen, and more time being present? Similarly, is getting rid of social media a step back or is a step towards liberation or even a reset? Is leaving a career you’ve worked for to stay home with your kids a step back or a step towards a happier home life? Are there things in your life that you’d like to do that society would deem a step back, but you view as a step forward? I’d love to know if anyone has examples from their own life they’d be willing to share.
Rundown of January 2021
Currently reading… The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan.
Tuning into nature by… checking on the moon most nights.
Applauding myself for… registering for classes, working out 3 days a week, and testing a few recipes this month (even if my food photography skills need some serious work).
Remembering… those who are no longer with us that were born or passed away in this month.
Honestly… can’t believe the first month of the year is already in the books!
Finding humor in… letting loose.
Hoping… to keep growing.
Honesty, Humor & Hope 