Welcome 2025! I decided after several months of taking a break from writing the blog that it was time to come back.
I promised myself when I started the blog that I wouldn’t do it if it felt like a burden or something stressful and I have really stuck to my commitment of only writing here when it feels authentic to do so and not just to get another weekly blog post out.
Right around now is when I like to reflect on my goals from the previous years and the goals I want for this year but this time I wanted to do something a little different.
I want to challenge anyone reading this to write a letter to yourself or a loved one where you describe all the ways your life is amazing already and what you love about it. I am sharing mine with yours because let’s be real, we all need more shared joy to be spread around ❤️.
When I reflect back to New Year’s Day ten years ago (2015), it turns out that I ended up having the exact life that I was hoping for then. It definitely didn’t look like the plans I had ten years prior to that but the great news is that I am loving the current life I have.
Ten years ago on this day, I was about 6 months from graduating from my pediatric neurology fellowship in New York City. I couldn’t wait to move back to Philly to move in with my husband, with whom I’d been doing long distance for almost 3 years.
Fast forward to today – we got the jobs, the house, the kids, even the (not so) white picket fence. We have an incredible support system of family, friends, and colleagues. Our lives are filled with amazing experiences, whether we are ice skating on a quiet Sunday afternoon, hanging in our house with neighbors, or taking a fantastic trip to Alaska.
As someone who spends a lot of time thinking about next steps, the future, and big picture goals, I know how important it is to stop and reflect on what I already have. My heart immediately filled with gratitude and happiness and a smile automatically appeared on my face as I write this post.
I know there are a lot of things wrong in this world right now but I really needed to take a break and focus on the good. I hope that on this New Year’s Day you can have that privilege as well. I would love to hear or read your letter describing all the good that exists in your life already.
Happy 2025 y’all! Stay tuned for more blog posts soon!
