Thank You Letter to 2024
Dearest 2024,
Even though our time together wasn’t as happy as I had hoped, I sincerely thank you for the wins, wonders, lessons and losses from the past twelve months. Surprisingly, the tests and trials have renewed my self-confidence, although, at times, you could have been a bit gentler with your delivery. Through yoga, I have discovered not just my best self but gained insight into my Higher Self–the self without ego who suffers. The self that is filled with pure love and infinite grace–the self I strive to be. I let go of the habits and behaviors that were no longer serving me and instead embraced the ones that do.
My personal yoga practice has new depth, one that inspires my internal well-being, not just the physical. Most of the year has been spent studying and practicing the yamas and niyamas. As I tried to live a yoga-inspired life, I realized I was trying too hard and didn’t give myself much grace. I kept trying to emulate the idea of what a yoga-inspired life “looked like” instead of just letting myself “be” inspired by yoga philosophy.
Things are often easier said than done–but the doing isn’t really that hard. The hardest thing is letting go of judgement–does this look right, is my interpretation correct, am I wrong, do I need to train more, study more, become more? That internal chatter quiets when I let go of shame and shade–instead acknowledging the thoughts and forgiving myself for the doubts, and then moving on.
The biggest gift you gave me this year is my health. Seriously, thank you. After engaging in objective research, talking to my doctors, listening to their advice, and paying attention to how my body responds, I am healthier than I have been since I can remember. I had to make some dietary changes and while certain things are annoying (and expensive!), I feel so much better inside and out. Challenging or not, the changes are worth it. And I really do love trying new foods and flavors and this year has been mostly delicious. Eating is definitely one of my top favorite things to do and I’m so glad I enjoy it more.
My dearest 2024, while I will sincerely miss you, I am very much looking forward to meeting 2025. A new twelve months of adventure–so many plans to be thwarted and so many unknown mysteries to uncover. There are few challenges from 2024 that will carry on into the new year and of course, 2025 will have its own obstacles and hiccups.
I have no resolutions for the new year, nothing to fix about myself, and no first month of the year fasts. I feel like 2024 was the year I became reacquainted with myself–who I am or want to be, defining my goals based on my wishes and hopes, not someone else’s idea of what they should be. My only real hope for 2025 is to love myself. Not in a self-serving, self-centered way but sincerely caring for internal ‘me’ without letting limiting beliefs or the opinions of others make me small. Continuing my health journey, expanding when and where it makes the most sense, not based on random benchmarks. Listening when I’m tired or burning out instead of pushing and punishing myself for not being enough. Noticing when I have the extra energy and to leverage it wisely. Not feeling guilty making decisions based on my best interests and needs. Figuring out how to have boundaries without creating divides.
Loving yourself isn’t a privilege or something that has to be earned or deserved. It’s essential to your basic survival as a human. Self-love is an unalienable right. You were born worthy of being loved and especially by you. That is my biggest hope for 2025–sincere, authentic, true self-love.
Thank you, again, 2024, for everything. I am stronger and healthier thanks to you. Our wins, wonders, lessons, and losses are shaping our future–both the landscape and horizon.
With great love, namaste!
Vikki
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