a *revised* tradition

As promised, we’re continuing in chronological order. Today’s blog post is dedicated to my 2023 goals. 

When I first wrote my 2022 letter, I thought it’d be a “one-off” year. In some ways, I figured I’d go back to my routine of categorized goal setting the following year. 

Spoiler: I did not. 

I didn’t necessarily know it at the time, but I had created a new tradition for myself. Or rather, a revised tradition. 

I think when I wrote out my 2022 “goals” I was hopeful that 2022 would be a breakthrough year. And while I wouldn’t label the whole year as a breakthrough, I definitely had some breakthrough moments. 

Most importantly, I accomplished what I hoped for in 2022. I dove into my faith and made it my priority. I learned and grew and slowly started to heal. 

So when the end of 2022 came around, my mindset going into 2023 remained the same. I didn’t have much on the means of well-thought-out goals. I didn’t have many aspirations or dreams. But I was falling in love with my Creator. And in 2023, I wanted to keep doing that. 

So, without further ado, my 2023 goals in the form of a letter to my future self. 

So New Year's came and went, and I didn’t feel ready to write this out. I think my tradition of writing out my New Year's goals on New Year's Eve has ended. My new tradition: writing them when I’m ready. Last year, that wasn’t until the end of January. And this year, sitting on my bed in my apartment in Italy, I feel ready. 

Pause for context. I did a travel course during my senior year of college and spent 2 weeks in Florence, Italy. So I was writing this letter on January 18th, 2023. Ok, that’s probably all you need to know. Back to the letter. 

2022 had some great parts and some really hard parts. I was overjoyed some days and brokenheartedly devastated others. In a lot of ways, 2022 felt like my swing upward. I set the tee, and in 2023, I’m ready to knock it out of the park. (Yes, I know that’s a terrible sports analogy—I think I mixed golf and baseball, but you get the point)

So, here is my dream for 2023…

Dear Kylie,

Recently, you’ve been learning that there is only one thing that should take priority, one thing that should take up the majority of your thoughts, one thing that should reign sovereign in your heart. 

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Elohim of Elohim. 

My desire for you, 2023 Kylie, is that you would keep running the race. Keep chasing after your God… because you are getting so close. And the closer you are, the sweeter life becomes, the freer you feel, and the better your time on earth will be. 

2023 will come with its really hard parts. I have no doubt about that. But I do know that you’ll be ok. You’ll make it through, and you’ll be stronger because of it. I don’t know when and what fires are coming, but I do know they’re around the corner. There will be days when you don’t know why you’re crying and days when you can’t find enough strength in you to love yourself. But those days don’t last forever. 

My encouragement for you this year is to remember whose you are. You are loved, CHOSEN, and accepted as. you. are. This world makes it really hard to remember that. But it is so, so true. I love you, Kylie girl. I do. I’m learning day by day. It’s a process, and there are days when I need to be kinder. 

But honestly, Kylie, if you chase after Jesus, everything else will fall into place. When you feel lost, dive deeper into the Word. I’m so proud of how far you’ve come. I’m so proud of the woman you are growing up to be. You are loyal, kind, smart, serving, and gentle. And God made you that way. 

You don’t need to change to be loved. You don’t need to change to be noticed. You don’t need to change to fit in. I get it. I really, really do. It’s so hard to hear and see others receive what you desire. And you can’t help but want what they have, too. But you are noticed by the KING OF THE UNIVERSE. He thinks you’re beautiful. He thinks you’re lovely. 

It doesn’t take away how hard it is, I know. But keep going. I’ve got a feeling the reward will be tenfold. I’ve got a feeling that the waiting will be worth it. I’ve got a feeling. Part of me wants to throw in the towel and stick with the pessimistic possibility that my dreams won’t come true. But I don’t know… maybe. Maybe this will all work out in the end. Maybe it’s all a good thing. 

Either way, I know God is in my story, and if it isn’t good, then He isn’t done with it yet. 

Love,

2022 Me

That’s what I left for myself going into 2023. A year had gone by, and I still didn’t have much direction. I was taking life one day at a time and letting God put back together the broken pieces in my heart. 

Maybe you don’t like the idea of creating New Year’s goals. Maybe New Year’s resolutions haven’t worked for you in the past. If you’re in a season of life where a list of goals doesn’t feel productive, perhaps you’ll try something a little more like this. 

Even if you aren’t sure what the next year will look like, taking some time to look forward can be a great way to start. 

Writing yourself a letter might seem a little silly, but it can also be really special. In some ways, it’s almost like a time capsule. It’s low pressure. Just write what comes to mind. Maybe you’ll weave some goals in, or maybe you’ll loop back to just one thing you hope to do in the coming year. 

Either way, you’ve cultivated some vision. And that’s what New Year’s goals are all about!

Next time, I’ll share what my 2024 goals looked like. In the meantime, maybe you can start brainstorming how you want to prepare for 2026 :)

Remember, you are loved by God, wonderfully made, and beautifully you. Don’t let someone else’s voice speak louder than what’s true.

Until next time…

hugs,

Kylie