Embracing Intentional Living in 2024: A Journey of Growth
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Chapter 1: The Countdown to 2024
It’s hard to believe that we are just a couple of weeks away from welcoming 2024. The holiday season is upon us, and with winter break in full swing, the kids are home for the next two weeks.
I’m grateful for this break from the routine of preparing lunches and waking the kids up for school each day. However, it feels a bit odd to be dressed in a hoodie and sneakers so close to Christmas. If it weren't for the festive decorations, it wouldn’t even feel like the holiday season.
This Christmas, we're planning a picnic by the river—a sentence I never thought I’d say living in Canada!
As I enjoy my last moments of solitude before the holiday chaos kicks in, I've started reflecting on personal goals for the upcoming year. I’ve been contemplating what truly matters to me and what I want to cultivate more of in 2024:
- Discovering sources of inspiration for my writing (which has been quite the challenge).
- Identifying my personal definition of fun.
- Acquiring a new skill.
- Making space for spiritual growth and connection with Jesus.
- Prioritizing listening and remaining open to new opportunities.
With these thoughts in mind, I’m drafting a plan that centers on creativity, spirituality, and personal development for the year ahead.
Section 1.1: A Tool for Reflection
I recently found a flexible, undated Happy Planner focused on recovery that resonates with my goals. One feature I particularly appreciate is the weekly check-in section, which prompts me to reflect on various aspects of my life.
This section encourages me to ask questions like:
- What thoughts have taken up space in my mind?
- Have I acted selfishly, dishonestly, or out of fear?
- What can I change in my approach?
- Are there unresolved issues or apologies I owe?
- What achievements can I celebrate?
- How can I contribute positively to others' lives?
I’m consciously choosing to surrender my anxieties to God rather than allowing them to swirl chaotically in my mind. This structured approach not only helps me identify recurring issues but also promotes clarity.
Section 1.2: Tracking Growth
Above the weekly check-in, there’s a section to set weekly habits, allowing me to outline what I aim to achieve. The layout includes spaces to mark off daily accomplishments, along with areas for daily gratitude and mood tracking.
Given my busy schedule, I realized I needed a system that would help me manage everything effectively. A standard planner alone wouldn’t suffice. Life is meant to be lived fully, and I wanted something that reminded me of my purpose and helped me concentrate on what truly matters.
I was fortunate to find a whiteboard add-on during the holiday sales for tracking gratitude and monthly highlights—reflecting on what worked, acts of kindness, and a 30-day gratitude challenge.
I also integrated a faith component, which includes various pages for scripture focus, prayer reflections, and spaces to contemplate what resonates with me about God’s nature and the truths I cherish.
One unique addition is the "Letters to God" section, where I can express my thoughts as prayers, followed by learning to embrace silence and create space for listening.
I’ve paired this planner with a notebook that serves as a commonplace book for quotes, devotional notes, and other insights that I wish to preserve for future reference, including information on upcoming church events and meeting notes.
Chapter 2: A Year of Anticipation
Over the past few months, I have encountered an abundance of positivity in my life, and I am eager to reciprocate this goodwill in 2024.
For the first time, I genuinely look forward to what the new year holds. In the past, I would set goals for myself that often felt unattainable, leaving me overwhelmed and in survival mode, simply trying to make it through each day.
But that’s changing.
2024 is poised to be a year of flourishing, as I continue to cultivate my community and foster love for the world and those around me. I am committed to embracing faith and discovering where Jesus leads me in my journey.
Looking Ahead: Your Goals for 2024
What aspirations do you hold for the upcoming year? What are you most excited about?
Explore ten personal hopes and aspirations for the new year in this insightful video.
Join the discussion about looking forward to the new year and the possibilities it brings.