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New Year’s resolutions are a trap sponsored by capitalism intended to keep us striving and struggling in not-enough. 🤦♀ Our modern reference is to commit to “doing things” in the new year to improve ourselves and achieve outcomes. But good intentions don't always equal positive impacts. And the actual root of the word resolve is to “loosen, undo, settle”.
What if instead of setting resolutions and manifesting more suffering (LOL😅), we focus on unlearning and undoing all that is in the way of our wholeness?
Here’s a helpful meditation for when I'm struggling with striving:
In facing off with my inner critic—that part of me that says “you’re not ____ enough” or “you’re not worthy”—I have found that my greatest weapon is gratitude. For me, the practice is less about doing a thing (ie: positive affirmations), and more about being with.
When I sit with my judgmental self, I can bear witness to the longing that is underneath the mean thoughts. I ask “is that true?” about the stories I tell myself about myself. And then I am able to discern the truth from the lies and see myself more clearly. That’s when gratitude emerges.
Gratitude reminds me that I am enough, that I have enough, that there is enough to go around. From that place, I remember that “I am already”—that nothing more is needed for my existence, that I deserve to be well and worthy just because I am. From this place of knowing, I can move from love instead of fear and open up to the possibilities that are beyond my wildest imaginations. Take a moment to reflect on the following reflection questions:
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What is your relationship to striving and scarcity?
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What did you learn growing up about your own worthiness and dignity?
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What does enough feel like? When have you experienced it?
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What is in the way of your growth? What might you need to let go of vs. do more of?
- What kind of practice will support you in returning to presence and possibility?
- Who can you call on for support and solidarity in this new practice?
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