I haven’t given up on writing in this blog. Life just got in the way. 2023 turned out to be a little draining. A little bit of a lot going on. It wasn’t bad, just a bit much at times. Toward the end of the year I found I needed some peace and isolation.

I’m really trying to focus on me this year. It may sound selfish, but I’ve let things go with myself. I have to make that change this year. It is the year of taking care of me.

Before the holidays the anticipation of what usually happens at that time of the year started to get to me. It’s usually about cooking, presents and yes, family. This year I wasn’t feeling the first two. I wanted to celebrate the reason for the season.

My birthday is right after Thanksgiving and before Christmas. Yes, it was a milestone birthday, but I decided I wanted to spend it alone in the peace and quiet of my own mind. It felt good. I stayed in my house with myself. My children were at work. I received birthday texts and messages, but the day was about me. I was thankful for the time with myself.

When Christmas came around I felt ready to celebrate and I have not felt that way in a few years. It was different for me this year. I wasn’t stressing over buying presents or what to have for Christmas dinner. Thankfully, my children took care of most of dinner. But I saw the reason for the season this year. I don’t know what put me in that mind set, but it was just different.

On my birthday, my son challenged me to try 10 different things this year that I’ve never done before. It can be anything; a food, an activity, a place. I haven’t actually started yet, but my word for this year is CHALLENGE. I will challenge myself. And my motto is “I do a thing called what I want.”

Just remember, you can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of you.