My Radical Resolution: The Crazy In Me Honors The Crazy In You
(Blue text links you to additional resources)
True to my mission to keep things simple and realistic, this article is about as real as it gets. Enjoy reading and please do share with anyone who may love this message!
This year, I’m taking on a different type of resolution.
But first, let me be honest. I’m not a huge fan of New Year's Resolutions. As I shared here, one secret to healthy living success is to understand that because life and our bodies are so dynamic, we frequently need to consider how we can reengineer our habits to support our well-being. This process, unfortunately, is not exclusive to the start of a new year.
However, if we want to kick off a new year with reinvigorated commitment to a specific goal, why the heck not? Let’s go for it!
And speaking of identifying ways to live a vibrant, healthy life, an instrumental part of that process is to customize our goals specific to stage of life and our current circumstances. It is because 2020 has been such a crazy and unexpected year that I have decided I'm in need of a slightly different kind of resolution!
My resolution is to practice Radical Acceptance: The crazy in me honors the crazy in you.
While I often write about tapping into our inner greatness, confidence, and many other joy-focused themes, it’s also my mission to keep it realistic and REAL. I believe in sharing the good, the bad, and everything in between.
This resolution is in full recognition that life lately has been nothing short of challenging for all of us. Also, we simply cannot change others, so why not just aim to love and let go?!
So, as we enter into 2021 here are a few examples of how I plan to practice Radical Acceptance within my life:
I accept myself: my raw emotions, my imperfections, the lessons I’ve learned from my failures, and the many wins I’ve had along the way.
I radically accept others during this crazy pandemic time: whatever emotions they need to experience and whomever they need to be to make it through.
As I deep breathe through our extended "stay at home", virtual school, and remote work...
To my kids: The frustrated tired in me honors the frustrated tired in you.
To my husband: The sometimes-stubborn jackass in me honors the sometimes-stubborn jackass in you.
As I deep breathe through visits home to help care for my father who is recovering from COVID-19...
To my parents: The type A-clean freak in me honors the type Z-animal lover in you.
To my sisters: The endlessly responsible and sometimes-uptight eldest child in me honors the sometimes-crazy middle child and easy-going youngest child in you.
My goal is to ask myself if all the little things that may have previously frustrated me really matter. Don’t we all just deserve to have a little space to be ourselves and do whatever we need to do to get through this uncertain time?!
I honor that space in me and I am working to honor that space in others. Not only is life a heck of a lot less stressful, but I'm also finding I am more effectively loving, leading, and serving others. This year, you'll find me continuing to pursue this simple resolution to radically accept myself and others.
“The —— in me honors the —— in you.”
What might you need to insert in this statement to create a culture of love and acceptance throughout the many unknowns of the year to come?
Regardless of the resolution you choose, I wish you a vibrant and healthy year ahead!
Louise Valentine is an award-winning wellness expert, best-selling author, competitive runner, and fierce military spouse. She runs the Badass Breakthrough Academy, empowering others with simple, science-based strategies to stress less, optimize recovery, and confidently achieve their most ambitious health and performance goals. Learn more and view her free training here. As always, you can find Louise & Team Valentine living life out loud on Facebook and Instagram @BreakingThroughWellness.
Enjoy all of our wellness content by subscribing to the blog below.