It is Sunday morning, and I am finally getting the wings back in my sail, so to speak. Last week I had an epiphany, a sudden revelation that one of my thoughts needed put into action. Either this or I won’t find the ultimate joy I seek in 2023. 

I have been wrestling with change. I want something new in my life. Truth be told, I have been grappling with these thoughts for a long time. About four months ago, I thought I found the answer. And I did in many ways, but not in enough ways to reach my goal of finding joy in 2023. 

I know that time is a friend and not an enemy. Time allows you to struggle with your thoughts, make mistakes, and rejuvenate when you have a good plan. And then, the hard stuff begins… live into your answer. We all have to ignite our engines to reach the goal line. We all know what that feels like… it is joy.  

Change is hard. It requires you to take the stairs instead of the elevator.

FINDING JOY IN THE NEW YEAR

A New Year. A New Beginning. It is emotionally refreshing to visualize a clean slate. The beginning of the New Year is a time to reflect on experiences in 2022 that jolted you to sit back, take pause and think. And, then actually darling, act!  

We all had a mix of experiences last year; some hapless, unlucky, challenging, some awesome, all eye-opening.  I sure did. Personally, I weathered my storms with my performance and not so well emotionally. 2022 took its toll but being positive about life, I am gearing myself up to enjoy my life in 2023 after 50. 

All occurrences reveal ah-ha revelations. It is uplifting when you are able to shift thoughts and visualize your burden disappearing. You notice how good you feel. Unfortunate but true —this is often hard to do because positive realizations require a change in habits and thoughts. Both are very challenging. 

Change is hard. It requires you to take the stairs instead of the elevator. It necessitates thinking outside your old comfort zone. In other words, It takes work. When you meet a call to action head-on and are rewarded by the results you will add more joy into your life in 2023!  

This message is for all women, women over the age of 50 and women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Because the sooner you realize this you will add more joy in your life.

EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE

You know the feeling of carrying emotional baggage. Its weight weighs heavy on your shoulders. Unless you have the ability to take the mettle to the peddle with an ah-ha thought and lighten your load. This takes walking up flights of stairs instead of riding the elevator! But visualize the joy you will bring into your life in 2023 when you rid yourself of the burden of heavy baggage. 

WHAT IS TOO MUCH BAGGAGE? 

Too much baggage can be related to toxic people, material possessions, or poor health habits. Perhaps fear of the unknown, feeling invisible at every age, loneliness after 50. It could be lethargy, family intrigues, retirement, or unhappiness in the workplace. Or above all, unhappiness within yourself. 

Maybe you need a new beauty routine? Maybe you need a new workout schedule? Perhaps you need a new hobby or a move or new challenges in your job? Maybe you should join a group where your peers have the same interests you have. 

Make a list of your needs (the easy part) and then take  action (the hard part.) 

ENVISIONING EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE AS A GIFT

I would like you to see your emotional baggage as I do, as a gift. Why? Because your baggage  makes you feel your discomfort and the discomfort is telling you to make a change. Like you, some of the baggage I bring on myself while other baggage are problems forced upon me. It matters not. What matters to me is the outcome. 

Yes, darling, even while I am going through an unhappy experience I am also trying to figure out how to awaken my resolve. To either change myself or change my circumstances. I take a deep breath in, release it slowly and sigh as I climb the stairs, only thinking of new and positive awakenings. 

In 2023 follow me up the stairs with the same positivity and momentum. Focus on what inspires you and with a clear focus meet your baggage head on 

IDEAS ON HOW TO ENJOY THE NEW YEAR AFTER 50

1. Meet your goals with action
2.  Sweep your slate clean.
3. Listen to your Ah-Ha thoughts
4. Let go of fear.
5. Stop doing what you do not enjoy
6. Delete relationships that produce tears instead of kisses
7. Take a stand. Be righteous. Honor your code.
8. Say to yourself, “My goal is to live a charmed life in 2023.

In other words, darling, tidy up your home, your family, your lifestyle, and yourself to find joy in 2023.

WHAT DID YOU ACCOMPLISH THAT BROUGHT YOU JOY IN 2022

Please take the time to write in your journal what brought you joy in 2022. I did. Read more about my journaling process here.

In 2022 I found ultimate joy in tending to my daily responsibilities. Like yours, they are endless. Looking back on 2022 I am very proud of how I took on my roles as a wife and mother. As daughter to my mother who passed away September 16, 2022. Also as mistress of our home, mother-in-law, grandmother, and mom to our pooch America. As a confidant to our large family and my friends. 

My responsibilities were met successfully because they were coupled with love, time, strategy, and management. All of this allows me to enjoy the ride in 2022. 

I even enjoyed the time it took to talk to my plants, stroke their leaves and water them.

In other words in 2022 I spent hours of my time giving back and my reward produced inner joy. 

Please take the time to write in your journal how you intend to find joy in  2023

“In 2023, I will continue to find purpose in my daily responsibilities. I will continue to respect ‘my voice and be true to myself.”

“My new challenge in 2023 is to expand Honeygood.com. Lots of stair climbing. I feel an adrenaline rush. This is joy!”

A UNIVERSAL GOAL FOR ALL WOMEN IN 2023

How often have you not followed your inner voice, your heart? How often have you wished you had? In the year 2022, my personal goal was to, once and for all, listen and trust my inner voice, my heart. I was much better at accomplishing this in 2022 than in 2021 and in 2023, my goal is to hit a home run. 

Often times it is easier to drop the ball than follow your intuitions. The problem with not listening to your inner voice, your heart, is that you will make a wrong judgment call or do nothing. The better you become at listening, the better your heart will tick in a calm rhythm. 

Your heart is your inner messenger,  your barometer. It is an extension of you, it holds your feelings, it knows! Listen to it and make certain to take action. Whenever I swayed away from listening to my heart’s message or taking action, I was often unhappy with the outcome.

In 2023 I will do my best to hit a home run. I will listen to my heart’s message. I will take action and get results.

WHAT IS JOY? 

The objective in 2023 is to create desired results. Results = Joy. This necessitates taking the time to understand what makes you feel uncomfortable. And then the willpower to make adjustments. This is how you make change. This takes climbing the stairs. It is not easy, but from my experience, the emotional reward is extraordinary. 

Once again, Happy New Year by finding your joy in 2023.

If you enjoyed this story, please subscribe to my email list. When I post a new story, you will receive it in your inbox. You might also enjoy my post: Surprising Things the Sun Taught Me About Friendship.