seasons.

New Year. New Me. New Goals.

Every New Year, we’re bombarded with the same thing. This pressure to be and to do and to achieve.

In the past, I’ve buckled to this pressure. This idea that who I am now is not enough and that I am not doing well enough in this season of my life. That I must rush into this new season just because the date on the calendar has shifted.

If you know me, you know I live for personal growth.

I love identifying behaviors and habits in myself that not only hurt me, but also hurt the people around me. That inhibit God’s best for my life. That blocks doors and relationships and opportunities.

This can be listening more, eating better, saving more money, saying no more often (this is definitely a blog post for another day soon), practicing more self care, being more intentional and so much more.

There are always things to work on.

But not for anyone else.

For myself.

For yourself.

Growing needs to be about you. Not about a New Year.

Each and every one of us is in a different season of our lives. Some are starting new careers, some new families, some wrapping up school while others just starting. Some are having health issues where they can’t control their weight while others have finally decided to live a healthier life and are able to do that. Some people are feeling stuck and planning the next move. Some are grieving the loss of a family member while others are rejoicing over a new baby

(Hi Baby Quari Burgos!)

We are all in different seasons. We must savor the season we are in. Take in the rain or the flowers or the snow or the falling leaves. Take it all in, whatever season you find yourself in. And whenever you are ready, shift. You don’t have to wait on anyone or anything or a date on a calendar in order to move into your next season. It all starts with a decision. Your decision.

Last year I made some resolutions for myself.

Read more books.

Practice contentment.

Read and savor the Bible everyday.

They were pretty simple, not overwhelming, so I achieved all of them, thank God.

But this year, after a conversation with my cousin Melissa aka Miss Bombastic, I resolved to make no resolutions at all. To live in my season. To live by the mantra I’ve lived by for the past couple years..

Every day you get a chance to change. A chance to be better, to do better. Every single day.

Imagine that. Not having to wait for a new year or a new week or a new month to do better. (And do better does not mean you are not enough now) It is a decision you make every single morning. To do something different that will bring you contentment. To live a life fulfilled. Every single thing starts with a decision. A decision to forgive. To live a healthy life. To stop spending money on take out, specifically Johnny Fried Chicken. (insert awkward smile gif)

A new year does feel like a fresh start but make it what you want. Don’t put pressure on yourself to perform. You are enough and while we all have areas we have to grow in or dreams we want to see accomplished, live in your season. This could be your season to plan or to heal or to confront or to wait or to enjoy or to grieve or to observe.

Don’t rush into your next season. God has a plan.

And when it’s your time, resolve to grow. No matter what.