The new year always brings about so many thoughts and feelings. Thoughts of the goals and resolutions you put in place this time last year. The memory of the resolution you let fly out the window somewhere around month three. As well as the disappointment you felt when happens. But the new year also helps you remember the good things that happened. The goals that you planned and you achieved. As well as the bridges that popped up mid year that you conquered like a bad a$$. For me, like most, the beginning of a new year is some sort of proverbial clean slate.  All the forgotten or failed resolutions have gone by the way side providing room for you to think about all the things you want to concours this year. Maybe concour is a strong word. Maybe it could be the goals you want to hit head on. Or maybe thoughts of some changes you would like to make in your life. That being said the new year is always a time to reflect on the past.  

This past year had ups and downs for me. Some really high highs and some really low lows. But I don’t think that’s abnormal. I think that happens to everyone. I was in such a funk this time last year that I didn’t even bother setting goals or making resolutions. I didn’t care. I just wanted to survive each day. I know that sounds dramatic, but when you live with as many chronic illnesses as I do, survival is a goal in itself. 2018 was a battle for my health, much like the 5 years prior. It was the battle for disability, insurance, financial security and most of all a struggle for independence.   

While I can’t say that my health is magically all better, since chronic illness doesn’t work that way. That being said my health will always be in the background, I can’t change that. But what I can change is how I deal with it. Yes, there will be days that i have to stay in bed. Or have to cancel plans that I had so been looking forward to. But in 2019 I’m NOT letting my poor health win. This is the year that I am TAKING BACK MY LIFE!!  I know some of you with similar issues are rolling your eyes and saying “yeah right!” But I am. This is going to be the year of ME!!!

I gave up setting resolutions years ago. And instead choose a few goals to work towards in 2019. I thought maybe if I share them here with you that I will be more likely to stick to my plan. Maybe I will stay more accountable. My biggest goal in 2019 is to get my body healthy. No, I don’t have a cure for any of my conditions tucked away. But I do have will power. This year I am going to do all that I can to get my body healthy. I’m going to start by drinking more water, and eating better. NO, I’m not going crazy but I can definitely eat better than I have been. I also plan to get my body moving more. Whether that’s walking or doing yoga or even stretching. I am going to be doing something to keep myself moving. If you’ve got it and don’t use it you may just lose it. This is also going to be the year if self-care  I am really going to make sure that I get some me time and time to work on loving me!! 

I also have some business goals. I would like to grow the reach of this blog. Get my writing into more hands across the world. I also plan to start work on some bigger projects. What is it you may ask? In return I will say that it’s all for you! What I am working on is for each and every one of you. Once I can tell you I will and you will love it. But for now I have to keep quiet.  

And finally I decided I would pick one up   word and a mantra to live by this year. My words of the year are: STRENGTH & SELF LOVE. This is going to be the year I find my STRENGTH and find a way to LOVE MYSELF. And my mantra is from Joyce Meyer. It says: ITS NEVER TOO LATE FOR A NEW BEGINNING!! That’s how I feel about 2019. It’s a new beginning.  I encourage each and every one of you to find a word and a mantra to love by this year. Set some goals, nothing unattainable. Just small goals that you can CRUSH and move on to the next. If you can I suggest you find  an accountability partner. Someone who will help keep you on track and help you attain your goals. I would LOVE to know what goals you have for 2019. So feel free to comment down below. Let’s make 2019 an awesome year. Together, let’s work to make this year grand!!

With Love,

Amber