new year - time to reflect and set intention
The end of the year is a good time to reflect on things. On the year, what you have accomplished and where you want to go. I am not one for resolutions but I am a big believer in setting an intention (or intentions) for the new year. What is the difference between the two? I’ll get to that further down.
You might have noticed that I have been quiet - on social media and here. I started my reflections early and they weren’t just about my year but on how I was launching Grounding with Ruth. I needed to step away because something didn’t feel good about it to me. I am all about living authentically to who you are and I felt like I wasn’t doing that.
I would like to share with you some of my reflections on my year and on what I mention about launching this business. Here goes:
I am starting to run two businesses. One is established (a dog walking company that my husband and I do together) but consumes A LOT of my time. The other is new (Grounding with Ruth) but incredibly meaningful to me. I am so proud of myself because I never considered myself an entrepreneur. With that pride needs to be kindness. I have only so much energy to give and it will take time to find a balance while leaving some left over for myself.
Connection is important. The world has become a difficult place to live in. Isolation makes that worse. Connecting with like minded people helps see the good that is there. I am lucky to have some wonderful people in my life and connecting with them only makes me feel stronger and a sense of contentment.
Authenticity is important to me. I truly believe that when we live as our authentic selves - no matter how wacky or out there we might think that is - I believe there is a higher sense of contentment and satisfaction. I don’t think I have been doing that with Grounding with Ruth. I am human and found myself looking at other therapists, mediation/wellness coaches and other professional’s social media and websites. I got caught up in feeling I had to be like them to be successful. That social media is the be all and end all. That I need to present myself as a “social worker” (ex. professional who knows all) and hide my “woo woo” side (ex. the side that draws wisdom and knowledge from nature, tarot, etc) to be taken seriously. I lost myself in trying to build Grounding with Ruth and strayed from my original vision for it.
That brings us to setting intentions. What is the difference between setting a resolution and setting intentions? A resolution is focused on something you want to change about yourself or your lifestyle. Resolutions tend to focus on the negative or what is lacking in your life which makes them less effective. An intention focuses on building more positives into your life and focusing on it with compassion. It might seem like a matter of semantics but the difference in mindset can help with the shift.
For example - Resolution: I will lose 15 pounds by April. I will stop eating chocolate. I will run 5KM by my birthday.
Intention: I will listen to my body and fill myself with nourishment that feels good. I will move my body in ways that feel good for my health and well being. I will love myself and give myself the space to be and breathe.
Do you see the difference?
Here are some of my intentions for the new year. **I do want to add that setting intentions can be done all year round, not just in the new year.
What I have to share with the world and with women who are seeking it is beneficial, worthy and distinct. I can and will put that out there in a way that feels good to me. It may not resonate with all but it will resonate with the people who need it to. Most important, it will resonate with me.
2024 will be about treating myself with kindness, compassion and tenderness. To do so with others, I need to first give that to myself.
Connection is important and I hope to continue to connect with like-minded people and meet others who I can contribute to and who may be able to help me.
My next post is going to be a bigger introduction to who I am. Yes, there is the “About” section on my website but there is so much more to me than I could put there and I want to share it with you. I want to share who Ruth is - all the weird, authentic and factual points that make up who I am. And why I might be the person to help you on your journey.
I wish everyone a very happy new year! I wish you all the health, happiness and good things that you could ask for. I wish the world will find harmony and good will for all. To 2024!
