Be Where Your Feet Are

Be where your feet are — new year reflections on staying present instead of rushing toward what’s next.

Since 2023 I’ve shifted the way I approach preparing for the new year thanks to a brilliant piece of writing by John O., that you can read here. In SUPER summary, that does not at all do the piece justice, he shares why he practices reflecting in January, saving resolutions for February.

For years I struggled with feelings of dread walking into the New Year and never understood why. When I read it, I immediately felt lighter. I began to understand, unravel and rebuild.

For basically all of November and December we are in holiday prep mode or trying to enjoy said holiday we have spent forever prepping for. If you think about it, when do we REALLY have time to reflect on the year as a whole AND give real thought to what we want to shift and adjust going into the new year?

My answer, I don’t.

What I was doing was shoving the whole practice into the hazy few days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve where no one really knows who they are, what is really happening or what they are supposed to be doing. The self-inflicted pressure of trying to figure out my whole life and bring order to my whole house before the calendar hit January 1st was indeed the culprit of my new year dread.

Taking January to reflect, and saving resolutions for February was the precise mindset reset I needed. Not only did it renew my excitement to enter a new year, but it shifted my perspective on New Year’s resolutions as a whole.

In reading other people’s reflections and New Year’s resolutions and evaluating my own, I notice that they tend to be very repetitive from year to year. And I started to ask myself, why is that?

Because I didn’t give it any thought. I chose the things that I felt like I should do, not the things that I actually value and want to shift for the betterment of myself.

Once I started shifting how I approach resolutions, I started to realize what worked better for me was to have a word or phrase for the year and align my actions and goals to that phrase. I also started to reflect at the end of each quarter to adjust as needed. It has done wonders for my personal growth.

When I’m reflecting here are a few questions that I ask myself…

1. In what moments did I feel the most in flow and grounded? Why?
2. In what moments did I feel the most disconnected? Why?
3. What did I say yes to that I really wanted to say no to? And what did that cost me?
4. How can I show up better for myself, and in turn my community?
5. In what ways big or small can I choose joy in the upcoming year?

I ask myself these questions specifically because I want to be intentional about how I’m showing up. All of these ideas directly connect to that.

“Be where you are, otherwise you will miss your life.” - Buddha

2025 phrase for the year - “Be where your feet are.”

During this years reflection, it became abundantly clear that I rush through many parts of my life, jumping from one goal post to the next. Never really giving myself time to relish in the wins or just enjoy the experiences. My mind is always attuned to what’s next.

I want to say that is an occupational hazard because as the right hand to the CEO it is my job to see the bigger picture along with the details. The truth of the matter is, as a high achiever, I thrive in the work, but never really feel worthy of the success. And for me that is a problem.

So this year, I am learning to be where my feet are. I’m learning to be present in the moment, feel the feels, relish in the joy and embrace the good and the not so great.

This means I won’t…

1. Be doing a thing while being on my phone
2. Constantly pick up my phone every few minutes to scroll as way to fill the “down” time
3. Minimize my achievements

This means I will…

1. Give myself slow mornings
2. Prioritize rest
3. Invest in myself through nourishing foods, movement and connecting with the people I love.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but I wanted to share a peak into what this process looks like for me if you are considering trying it out for yourself.

“The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today”

Seneca

Time moves at a very rapid pace, and if we are not careful we will wake up one day wondering where our life has gone.

I do not want that to be my continued experience, nor do I want that for you. So I’m encouraging you today and everyday to make time to stop, breathe and be where your feet are.

With all my love,

Britt

P.S. If you found this impactful, please share with a friend.