It’s that time again. A new year filled with new possibilities, a fresh start, and a clean slate. This is usually the time when a lot of us start setting our new years resolutions. We start planning out all of the things we hope to change or improve on this new year. We also begin to envision all the ways this new year will be different than the last, and how we’ll be different.
I don’t know about you, but I always used to feel this pressure when it came to new years. As if once January 1st came, I suddenly needed to be the new and improved me, with all my ducks in a row. I now needed to get and implement a plan that would make me have it all together and be living my best life.
And while there’s nothing wrong with setting goals for your life or yourself, that pressure of suddenly having to have it all together in the new year, is just too much.
So, for the past few years, I actually haven’t made any new years resolutions at all. Simply for those two reasons. The pressure of it all, and my lack of follow-through.
But this past year, I was able to do a lot of self-reflection. And just based on my own life and experiences, I realized that having a fulfilled life or improving your life comes down to focusing on the things that are most important, what truly matters.
So this year I’m keeping it real simple. And in staying aligned with focusing on what truly matters, I’d like to share with you the 2 things I’m focusing on this new year that I know will make it a great one.
1. Prioritizing Spending Time with God
I could literally stop at this one and be guaranteed a greater year. More time with God automatically means more peace, more joy, less stress, better relationships, better character. The list goes on and on.
When we don’t consistently spend time with God, it has quite the opposite effect. For me personally, there is a BIG difference in me when I’m spending time in prayer and in my bible, and when I am not, and I feel it every time.
I’m anxious. I’m constantly worried about all of the things. I’m unsure of myself. I’m less patient and less compassionate. I often forget just how valuable and amazing I am, and I’m likely to entertain thoughts that lie to me about who I am and what I’m capable of. Just to name a few things lol.
Who wants to feel like that? And why should we feel like that when we don’t have to?
Here are just a few reasons why spending time with God should be our priority this year:
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You Feel Secure
When you’re consistently in the word and spending time in prayer, you feel grounded. It feels easier to remember that you’re not alone and don’t have to do life by yourself. You remember Whose you are and how not only does God have a plan for your life, but also that you always have Him to trust and depend on.
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You Feel Connected
Spending consistent time with God makes you feel closer and connected to the One who knows you best, and still loves you most of all.
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You Hear from God More Clearly
You are often still enough to actually feel His promptings or sense the things He’s putting on your heart to say or do. Which allows you to do the very thing He wants you to, and that is allowing Him to lead you.
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You Have Peace Even in Chaos
Reading the bible and staying on it when things are good in your life, prepares you for when the storms roll in. That peace will stay with you even when your circumstances feel bigger than you.
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You Don’t Have to Get It Together Alone
You don’t have to worry about changing yourself, getting it together, or becoming the best version of you all on your own. There’s something about reading the bible on a consistent basis that begins to change your character. It makes you more kind, it makes you more compassionate and loving and gentle. It does work on you from the inside.
It’s like the scripture says:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33
That is exactly what happens. Seeking God first is always followed by a whole heap of beautiful things and blessings. And the fruit of it, is a more intimate personal relationship with God. That ought to be enough to have you turning pages in your bible right now. LOL
2. Loving and Working on Me
The one thing I’m taking with me from 2021 into 2022 is my self-love journey. I want to continue to be patient, gentle, kind, and loving towards myself. I want to continue to be my biggest cheerleader and root for myself even on my hardest days.
I also want to continue to pursue things that make me happy and make me feel good about myself. In the past, I’ve always been so stingy when it comes to me, but that will not be the energy for 2022.
We do a lot. We work hard and do our best every day to hold it all together. So, we deserve to treat ourselves and splurge every now and then.
When it comes to working on myself, I know that I will forever be a work in progress, but I never want to stop looking for ways to learn and grow and keep evolving to become a better woman, mother, and wife. I’ve already got a list of personal growth, marriage, and parenting books that I’m looking forward to reading this year.
I feel that working on yourself and loving yourself benefits not only you, but everyone around you. When you’re comfortable with you and self-aware, and then compassionate towards others in the same way you are to yourself, your relationships are better. The atmosphere you set when you’re at home, or at work, or in whatever setting, improves simply because your love and light is beaming.
And at the end of the day, we have no control over anyone but ourselves. So working on ourselves, healing from our pasts, striving to unlearn certain things or practice better communication, benefits us and our loved ones.
There you have it. Those are the 2 things I’m focusing on this year. I truly believe that prioritizing spending time with God and continuing to love and work on me, is going to make 2022 an amazing year. And I know that if you focus on these things, your year is bound to be just as amazing.
What are some of the things you’re focusing on this year? What are the things that matter most to you? Let me know in the comments below!
timely post as usual!
Aw, I’m so glad! Thanks for commenting!
Great post, love it! Most important is putting God first. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, that’s the best thing we can do! Thanks for commenting!
This is so beautifully written and a great reminder! Thanks for sharing
Aww thank you! Thanks for commenting!
I love this post! And I totally agree with you that we don’t have to get it all together alone. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Isn’t that such a relief? lol. Thanks for commenting!
Yes!! This is excellent. Without God first nothing else matters. This is exactly how one should start a new year.
You said it, nothing else matters.
If we all do those two things….everything else will fall into place. This is the perfect post. Here’s to an amazing 2022.
Literally, everything! And cheers to that! 🙂
Awesome things to focus on! It’s so important to be our own cheerleader & be kind to ourselves- it’s kind of ironic how I can be such a great cheerleader for everyone else, but not myself! Thanks for these reminders!
So important! And I’m guilty of the same. We have to cheer ourselves on though! We’re worthy of the same support that we give to everyone else. <3