A new year is upon us. And even though, yes, we get the opportunity to start every single day anew, there is something special and energizing about launching into a brand new calendar year.
Ahh: New Year’s Resolutions. Some people mock them. Some people flock to them. Some people roll their eyes at them. Some people revel in them. Some people fall off the bandwagon. Some people succeed beyond their wildest dreams. And… some people don’t even think twice about the whole darn thing.
I’m simply here to let you in on my New Year’s tradition. I started it at the beginning of 2016 and it has been transformative.
It’s also is rather simple.
Instead of setting a traditional goal, or a set of goals (which don’t get me wrong, I LOVE GOALS) – for the New Year, I set a broad intention.
I think of a word or idea that embodies something I want to send my energy towards. Something I want to cultivate. Something to keep in mind. Something to notice. Something I want to shift or change.
I’m a firm believer that our challenges are our greatest gifts. So in the past, my intentions are usually inspired by my greatest challenges.
I’m also a firm believer that what we send energy towards, we manifest. So what do I want to send my energy towards? What do I want more of in my life?
In 2016, I decided to be DONE being so fearful. I decided to STOP sending energy towards these fears and to stop strengthening the idea that “I am a fearful person.” So, I dedicated my year to facing my fears. I had always been that person who over thought EVERYTHING and analyzed all the terrible outcomes that could possibly happen if I stepped outside of my comfort zone.
So instead, I entered 2016 saying, “bring it on, fear. I see you, I’ll definitely feel you, but this year I will get curious about you and explore you. I will not let you run my life. This year when I feel you, fear, I’ll know it’s an indicator that this is something I need to do.”
The intention started on New Year’s Eve. Why waste any time? I lit and launched a massive lantern in Thailand (I had been deathly afraid of playing with fire). It was like this “oh shit, this freaks me out, now I have to do it…” thing. And that carried out through my entire year.
And honestly? It worked.
In 2016 I:
- Started a blog
- Raised $2,000.00 and rode 100 miles in my first Pelotonia bike ride for cancer research (it was also my first ever outdoor road ride!)
- Tried a new yoga studio and fell in love with Ashtanga yoga
- Climbed down and up a massive 450 ft dune in Sleeping Bear National Park
- Kayaked the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore during a thunderstorm
- Co-hosted a story-telling event for addicts in recovery to share their incredible stories of struggle, resilience, hope and triumph to inspire others
- Started thinking more seriously about entrepreneurship
- Got super adventurous with my forearm stand in yoga
In 2017, I wanted to slow down. I knew I was living my life too fast. I wanted space to just be home, to have more me-time, to be able to sit with my thoughts, to actually have time and space to pay attention to what I need and want out of life. I needed to schedule less and learn how to say no.
So what happened with this intention? In 2017 I:
- Got back into cooking creative dinners and fell in love with my spiralizer
- Found and raised our dream puppy, Maple (@maplethebernerbear)
- Had more time to spend with my now fiancé, Alex
- Made tons of new friends in our new neighborhood (thanks to walking Maple!)
- Realized I was stifled in my job and needed a change
- Realized I wanted to become a health coach
- Enrolled in my health coaching program (health coach institute)
- Became a health coach!
- QUIT MY JOB!
- Started my own health coaching business
- Began a mastery level health coach training
- Started teaching more yoga at a new studio I adore
I can tell you, without a doubt, I would not have become a health coach this year without first having the space to listen to my intuition, and then having the space to dedicate to my training. The space I created at the beginning of my 2017 allowed me to follow my freaking DREAMS.
So that’s cool. Ya know what else? Because I strengthened the muscle of facing fears in 2016, it carried over into 2017. I no longer consider myself a fearful person. That old belief has been upgraded. Let’s be real, there’s no way in hell I’d have quit my job without being able to face the fear of heading into unknown territory. I have no doubt that as I enter 2018, I’ll also keep my 2017 intention of honoring my space and living a bit slower.
But what’s in store for 2018? Well, as a new entrepreneur and full-time health coach, my intention is to consistently take bold action, week by week, and put full faith in the Universe.
What’s yours?
Author: Julie Wojno
Email: [email protected]
Author Bio: Julie Wojno is a holistic health coach, yoga teacher and indoor cycling instructor based in Columbus, OH. Her mission is to empower women who have struggled with eating, exercise and body image to love their bodies and live their best lives, without another restrictive diet. When she’s not coaching, down-dogging or cycling, you can catch her snuggling her massive Bernese Mountain Dog, hanging at local breweries, and spiralizing her favorite fruits and veggies (sweet potato pasta, anyone?!)
Link to social media or website: http://www.juliewojno.com
