Focusing on the relationships that matter most

Living a social lifestyle can be draining. This year, my intention is to practice self-care by focusing on the right relationships.

At the new year, reflection is inevitable. Every year has its ups and downs and I know that I learned a lot over the last twelve months. I started to collect some tools that I’ll likely use for the rest of my life. I learned how to dive within to find answers to difficult questions. And for the first time, I experienced the transformative power of gratitude. Now I’m ready to take on what the next year brings me.

My intention for this year is to continue to focus on myself through relationships. I will be practicing self-care by developing my relationship with myself and my relationships with loved ones. I spent a lot of time last year pouring energy out until I reached a point of near social exhaustion. I gave the extroverted side of me more time than the introverted side could sustain. I love being a social person so here’s how I’m choosing to be more mindful and deliberate about how I approach this lifestyle.

Spending time with me

My solotrips are the result of overextending myself and they’re just one way for me to practice self-care regularly. Getting away is a really wonderful way to recharge but I intend to incorporate self-care into my daily routine. I will be spending more time on my yoga mat and with my journal. I will find more ways to integrate mindfulness and meditation throughout my day. Most of all, I will be watching my thoughts. I will notice when I start to say unfair things to myself and replace those thoughts with compliments. Love will come from me to me so I can pour that intention into everything that I do.

Focus on the relationships that feed me

I’ve lived in Seattle for over 3 years now and am surrounded by an amazing community. Over the last year I’ve been able to identify people who are real contributors in my life, the ones who will stick around forever. I’m no longer in the phase of needing to collect people that I like, rather I need to nurture the existing bonds that I’ve formed. It’s time to deepen the relationship through experiences and conversation.

Spending focused time with the right people is healing. Being intentional about where I put my social energy will keep me from depleting my energy stores. Being able to fully relax into who I am with people that I love, is a special form of self-care. Their acceptance of who I am is confirmation that I am enough. Having people to care for and share experiences with affirms that I am living a rich life.

I’m excited about incorporating these intentions in my daily life and I look forward to what 2016 brings!