- I was able to pull away from a toxic friendship with a very old friend. I’d always felt so grateful to him for helping me over 20 years ago when I had cancer that my guilt prevented me from creating healthy boundaries.
- I lost nearly 40lbs through exercise and eating right and have kept most of it off.
- I’ve learned to see my daughter as an adult and respect her boundaries.
- I regularly write in a journal dedicated to my late mom, I named it Letters To My Mother.
Things I did right it 2022. I had an uncomfortable entry into a job that I liked the mission so I managed to let the discomfort settle itself and am still allowing the uncertainty be an ok part of this new role. I renegaged with my Buddhist practice through study. I challenged myselfnto grow and expand my comfort with what family means. Thank you for this exercise as it was a good refection.
My mother died on Christmas day. We were semi-estranged for decades. I had to put up strong boundaries with her for my own mental health. She’d been a really rough, critical mother.
The last week of her life, I went to my hometown and sat by her every day. I opened my heart fully and was able to say things to her that I’ve never said before. I wouldn’t have thought I could do this, but some part of me stepped up and followed my heart. We both cried. I’m so glad I went there. She died peacefully.
-Keeping myself organized by using notebooks to make lists
-Letting my husband take the lead at the veterinarians’ office when our cat was sick. Instead of trying to control everything and everyone like I often do when I’m afraid, I let him do most of the talking, and patiently listened. And trusted. And it was a much easier experience for all of us.
-Saying no to opportunities that weren’t right for me. In the past I’ve felt that I should take teach whenever I’m asked to, but the past year I’ve been more selective. For example, I was asked to do work for an online wellness center and initially said yes, but felt uneasy about it. I later realized my work didn’t fit in with their mission, politely declined, and realized that it’s okay to say no.
-(Sometimes) apologizing quickly when I was wrong, impatient, or unkind with others. I don’t always recognize it when this happens, but I think this year I noticed more quickly and repaired sooner by texting, calling, or saying I’m sorry.
-I cooked many meals for my family and friends (happily, as I enjoy cooking). I did lots of grocery shopping for our home, stayed in touch with sick friends and struggling family members, and donated to our local food pantry.
-I kept running
-Spent less time on social media, and commented less too
-Learned to cut my own hair in the pandemic and continue to do it because I like the way it looks
-I’m so glad I read Gesture of Great Love by Tarthang Tulku and What Happened to You? By Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry
These are some of the things I got right in 2022:
- I was able to pull away from a toxic friendship with a very old friend. I’d always felt so grateful to him for helping me over 20 years ago when I had cancer that my guilt prevented me from creating healthy boundaries.
- I lost nearly 40lbs through exercise and eating right and have kept most of it off.
- I’ve learned to see my daughter as an adult and respect her boundaries.
- I regularly write in a journal dedicated to my late mom, I named it Letters To My Mother.
That’s great to hear! Thanks for sharing and happy new year!
Things I did right it 2022. I had an uncomfortable entry into a job that I liked the mission so I managed to let the discomfort settle itself and am still allowing the uncertainty be an ok part of this new role. I renegaged with my Buddhist practice through study. I challenged myselfnto grow and expand my comfort with what family means. Thank you for this exercise as it was a good refection.
Wow good stuff, may 2023 be filled with joy and happiness and wisdom!
My mother died on Christmas day. We were semi-estranged for decades. I had to put up strong boundaries with her for my own mental health. She’d been a really rough, critical mother.
The last week of her life, I went to my hometown and sat by her every day. I opened my heart fully and was able to say things to her that I’ve never said before. I wouldn’t have thought I could do this, but some part of me stepped up and followed my heart. We both cried. I’m so glad I went there. She died peacefully.
How beautiful, Andrea. I’m so glad you could have that experience. May you be peaceful and at ease. Happy New Year!
These are some of the things I got right in 2022:
-Keeping myself organized by using notebooks to make lists
-Letting my husband take the lead at the veterinarians’ office when our cat was sick. Instead of trying to control everything and everyone like I often do when I’m afraid, I let him do most of the talking, and patiently listened. And trusted. And it was a much easier experience for all of us.
-Saying no to opportunities that weren’t right for me. In the past I’ve felt that I should take teach whenever I’m asked to, but the past year I’ve been more selective. For example, I was asked to do work for an online wellness center and initially said yes, but felt uneasy about it. I later realized my work didn’t fit in with their mission, politely declined, and realized that it’s okay to say no.
-(Sometimes) apologizing quickly when I was wrong, impatient, or unkind with others. I don’t always recognize it when this happens, but I think this year I noticed more quickly and repaired sooner by texting, calling, or saying I’m sorry.
-I cooked many meals for my family and friends (happily, as I enjoy cooking). I did lots of grocery shopping for our home, stayed in touch with sick friends and struggling family members, and donated to our local food pantry.
-I kept running
-Spent less time on social media, and commented less too
-Learned to cut my own hair in the pandemic and continue to do it because I like the way it looks
-I’m so glad I read Gesture of Great Love by Tarthang Tulku and What Happened to You? By Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry
-Regularly attending a Monday night dharma class