Dear Future Me
Maybe you need to let go of who you were, to become who you will be – Carrie Bradshaw
I just re-read a blog post that I wrote on December 31st 2019, titled “My Year in Review.”
That post started with these words:
I have to admit that I will be glad to see the back of 2019. What started out as a year with so much promise, (yes, I was that person who boldly proclaimed that “this is going to be my best year ever!” back in January) soon turned out to be a roller-coaster of highs and some pretty huge lows.
Oh the irony as I sit here on December 31st, reflecting on 2020!
I don’t think that anyone has been untouched by the events of this year. Some have experienced the horror first hand, losing loved ones or working around the clock on the front lines. Others have been unable to see family for many months, many are struggling with their mental health, and others have found themselves fighting to survive as jobs and housing costs are affected.
Then there was the issue of the toilet paper. Seriously, what was that about?!
There were 2 funny memes posted in the Rocking Midlife® Facebook group this morning which I think sum up how everyone is feeling about heading into 2021…
The general consensus seems to be to hold back on any big resolutions as we don’t know what is around the corner.
And they are absolutely right about the uncertainty.
However, I don’t agree with them about holding back.
Queen Elizabeth referred to 1992 as being an annus horribilis for her, and whilst 2020 is right up there as a horrible year, I feel like I weathered it fairly well mentally, thanks to the crappy 2019 that proceeded it.
The personal losses I experienced in 2019 were a wake up call for me. All of those platitudes about life being precious, not being guaranteed, needing to be lived to the fullest, yada yada, yada…. suddenly became very real as I watched a number of friends – all in their prime – lose theirs. It was tough, pre-game training before entering the fray of 2020, but it stood me well when the challenges of virtually no income and being separated from most of my family came into play.
Life was crappy, but I was still living – and that was to be valued.
Hence, here I am on December 31st once again, considering the year in front of me.
- Do I dare to plan ahead?
- Do I dare to chase my dreams?
- Do I dare to continue to encourage other women to build their purposeful lives and businesses?
My response?
Yes, Yes, and Yes!!
The future me needs me to continue to dream, to plan and to work.
The future me needs me to be flexible, be resilient and be stedfast.
The future me needs me to use my God-given gifts and talents purposefully.
The future me needs me to love myself enough to make self-care a priority.
The future me needs me to continue to learn, to grow and to embrace opportunity.
The future me needs me to love, to cherish and to give to others more.
The future me needs me to value the life I have been given and use it to the fullest.
I want my future me to look back on the present me and feel proud that I kept going. That I persevered even in the tough times when I had no control of the circumstances around me. That I made a difference with the life I was given, and lived it in a way that aligned with my values and created a legacy for my children.
What does YOUR future me want from you in this moment?
How do you want YOUR future me to feel about your actions today, 5 / 10 / 20 years down the track?
I invite you to join me in daring to dream, and daring to commit to pursuing your goals. Yes, we are uncertain about what 2021 holds and we will almost certainly encounter things that are out of our control – that’s a given based on 2020. However, in those things that you can do, those things that you know your future me will look back on with pride and joy – commit to dreaming, to planning and to bringing them to life.
The past is your lesson. The present is your gift. The future is your motivation. – Anon
PS: Are you ready to start dreaming and planning for your future me but not sure how to get started? Check out my e-book Your Vision Board – Design the Life of your Dreams to help!
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