My 2022 Reflection
Presence was my word for the year. And . . .
What.
A.
Year.
It.
Has.
Been!
When I set out my goals for this year, I realized that I needed to focus on changing how I was showing up. For the people I love, for the purposes I serve, and . . . for myself. I knew I needed to re-sort some of my priorities, put more effort into areas of my life that had been a bit neglected, and be braver about pursuing things that had been collecting dust on my dreams list.
What it all really came down to was presence . . . in two different, but (ideally) coexisting forms:
Physical presence
To be able to show up at all, we have to actually get there. So, I committed to making it there. Making it to that place . . . to see those loved ones, to celebrate that special occasion, or to have that experience. It required time planning, workload managing, and booking way more planes, trains, and automobiles than I ever have before (RIP my savings account).
I traveled every month this year, and oftentimes more than once. I got to celebrate four weddings (two of which I was in), took “just because” girls’ trips, and visited family I hadn’t seen in years.
Emotional presence
Once we get there, there’s still more to how we show up. Are we really there? Or are we more concerned with being available for something or someone else? I chose to be more intentional about not only making it there, but making it count. Whatever I was spending time on, I committed to making the moments matter.
Everything I did served a purpose. And sometimes that required me to resituate to accommodate updates. For example: I dated heavily for the first half of the year, but as soon as summer hit, I realized I was just going through the motions of it – so I stopped. Full stop. And I put that energy into other things.
For the first time in a long time “out of office” meant that I was not working. Not because I don’t take my job seriously (I actually take it very seriously), but because I also take being a daughter, granddaughter, sister, auntie, godmama, niece, cousin, friend, bridesmaid, and volunteer, seriously. And I shouldn’t be showing up for those things in half measures. This did not result in me working less – in fact, I worked more. But I was far more deliberate with setting and respecting boundaries for myself . . . and I stopped feeling guilty for doing so. This resulted in me being more present and more productive, both professionally and personally. I got more done and got more out of everything I did.
I also learned the value of real vacation. If you take work and responsibilities with you, you’re not “getting away,” you’re just doing the same things in a different location (what a remarkable waste of time, money, and energy). I’ve taken a few vacays this year, and each time I dropped off the radar. My work laptop got left at home, social media use was minimal, and everyone else could leave a message after the beep. Whether the trip was for rejuvenation or exploration, I always came back to my daily life refreshed and ready to crush my overflowing to-do list. Rest gets a bad rep, but I promise one of the smartest and sexiest things you can do for yourself (and for everyone in your life!) is to intentionally set aside time for it.
Permission to show up imperfectly
Here’s the very best part: when we require ourselves to consistently show up physically and emotionally, we naturally create space to do it imperfectly. Because, when you can’t opt out, it’s gonna be what it’s gonna be, right? 😉
I required and allowed myself to just do it, which gave me permission to care less about what it looked like. Was it scary? You bet. Being fully present requires us to be attentive, eager, and vulnerable. And it brings success . . . along with plenty of discomfort, mistakes, and mess. That’s the whole point!
Being present this year brought a lot of gifts. I worked a ton and got a lot done, but I also got to take three solo trips, help host two bachelorettes, help plan our family reunion, spend time blogging, start a side hustle, and volunteer more. I reconnected with loved ones, met more amazing people, improved my health, deepened my faith, and lived in the most vibrant way I’ve ever experienced. I feared less and believed more. Worried less and appreciated more. Put simply, I did everything bigger than ever before.
It was hard. It was chaotic. It was 1000000% worth it.
Wishing you a new year built on your biggest dreams . . . and the courage to allow yourself to show up intentionally and enthusiastically in every way, darling. Here’s to living with our greatest sense of presence.
