My word of the year and intention for 2021 was centered. This year I cultivated my spiritual practice, learned new things, and chose myself. I didn't realize that centered was all about choosing me. I ended relationships, stopped reaching out to people that drained me, and learned to really take care of me. I went through many doctors appointments, finally having the space and funds to see specialists for my chronic illnesses. All the while healing myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Being centered allowed me to take care of me. As a recovering perfectionist and people pleaser choosing me was terrifying. I used to believe it would be selfish, but that programming only ever hurt me. Realizing I can choose myself and stop feeding relationships that were abusive and toxic was really hard. We are trained to be what everyone needs and we aren't taught to take the time to ask what we need, what we want, what is possible for us. This year I was able to do just that. I have been wanting a life I don't need a vacation from. The medical issues, healing, and the end of a few key relationships were not easy. I was surviving, healing, hurting, but also finding joy in myself. I supported me for the first time in my life by supporting my body, my anxiety, my very soul. That support came from a love I didn't think was possible because I had never allowed myself to give it. 2021 was not an easy year, but I hope you also found times of peace and joy. I know 2022 will have is own challenges but I hope with my word/phrase of the year I really embrace it. My focus for 2022 is "let it be easy." After this last year I found that at times I make things harder than they have to be. The martyr complex is every present in our western culture, from hustle culture, to parenting, to diet culture, and beyond. We are always trying to control something and often sacrifice our own wants and needs for what other people think. So this year I intend to let life be easy in all areas. I will be reading the book Let It Be Easy by Susie Moore and embracing ease in 2022. As the great Tay said #imfeeling2022 #wordoftheyear #letitbeeasy (at Salt Lake City, Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYIO4VILrDNntFt-Pos1czIsfd8NCBAb3wxf5A0/?utm_medium=tumblr
