I’M NOT AFRAID TO BE SEEN TRYING

This was the first year I set an intention and stuck with it. I knew I wanted to embrace personal growth in a more vulnerable way than I had before, particularly by trying new things. Meadowlark Monaghan put words to my feelings when she declared the mantra “I’m not afraid to be seen trying” on her podcast earlier this year, and it stuck with me for all of 2023. 

Fear was still ever-present, but I moved through it. It wasn’t always cute–lots of shadow work had to be done–but I kept trying new things on, embraced my inner child, and did my best to live in gratitude. 

And I’m proud of myself! I put myself out there and networked for personal and professional growth, started a new job in a new industry, tried different forms of therapy, cut back on alcohol, became a dog mom, and grew into a better lover and friend; looking back, I can see that I really lived in my mantra. By getting more comfortable with the uncomfortable, I feel like I stepped into a truer version of myself. 

If you’re reading this, I hope you take the time to reflect on your year and name the things that you’re proud of, too. I believe when we realize and call out some of the promises we made to ourselves and kept, we boost our self-esteem, realize that we’re capable, and promote more positive growth. 

This year proved to me that fortune really does favor the bold. Here’s to acting even more courageously in 2024. <3

X 😊 X 😊

~Melli