While every year is a year for learning, I decided to change up my way of educating myself in 2024.
Each month I would pick a new topic. My books, meditations, podcasts, and affirmations would all align with one overarching theme.
I started off my year with the perfect word, Confidence.
With my confidence in mind, I meditated every day this month. From guided meditations about remembering my strengths to manifesting my successful future self, each morning I started my day with excitement and purpose.
I read the "Body Neutral", an amazing book by Jessi Kneeland that helped me understand the deeper reasons running behind our self criticism when looking in the mirror (and how to work on overcoming them).
I listened to "I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy on my way to work, on my way home, and while I got ready in the morning. And once finished, I listened to "Becoming" by Michelle Obama. Both incredible memoirs by incredible women. And both a great reminder that we don't know what other people are facing on the other side of what may appear to be a glamorous life.
I also read "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin. The universe plopped this gem into my lap at the perfect time. While my goal for the year wasn't necessarily to improve my happiness (although, lets be honest, that is always a welcomed accompaniment of anything) the general tones and topics in the book were absolutely on point with what I was looking to achieve.
Monthly topics and monthly growth all written by a woman who clearly has the same type of personality that I do. I connected instantly with her drive and the necessity of needing an objective in everything she does.
For anyone who reads this and wishes they had the discipline to read more, meditate more, etc. understand that each of our lives are different and require different things from us. I didn't start by being able to meditate daily, that took over a year to get to. I have days where I'm way to mentally taxed to even read the subtitles for The Office. As Voltaire says, "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good". You need to start somewhere. Just start!
Next months topic: Behavior.