Reflecting on 2023 in Joyful Anticipation for 2024

I’m not ready for it to end. This Christmas has been a special one. And, it’s not really over for us, as we will be off on a family vacation soon, which presents me with a dilemma about cleaning up from Christmas. Are you a “leave the Christmas decorations up as long as possible,” or a “start taking them down the day after Christmas?” I’m usually ready to take them down right after Christmas, but the last two years, I’ve enjoyed having them up a little longer. Yet, as we bid farewell to the festivities, our gaze naturally turns toward the new year, so let’s take this time  to do some focused reflection and planning for 2024.

Reflecting on 2023

2023 was a year of big changes for me personally. I quit my job working at my church, took a few months to just rest and reflect, then started a new job, and launched my own business (ie, this blog)!  Making the decision to leave my job at the church was one that a lot of time and prayer went into, over the past few years, but the decision to actually submit my resignation letter happened in over a short period of time. I’m still processing all of it, and when the time is right, I’ll share more about that. I heard someone share once that you don’t share wounds, you share scars, and when this is a scar, I’ll have several lessons learned along the healing journey. This year, I learned so many new things, especially about digital marketing. While I’m no expert by any means, I now know the difference between a post, a story, and a reel! What about you? What were the highlights that brought you joy? What challenges did you face and conquer? Reflection is the compass that helps us navigate the path ahead.

Setting Physical Health Goals

2023 was the year of the Sugar Fast for me. I did my very first sugar fast in the fall of 2022, and in 2023, I did three more of them. These were crucial in helping me make my physical health a priority this year. As I look to 2024, I plan on doing three more sugar fasts, and you are invited to join me for one of them, or all of them! While Sugar Fasts are not a long-term solution to losing weight or maintaining physical health, they are a good way to kick-start a new or renewed focus on healthier eating habits. I also got into a good workout rhythm this year that I plan to continue in 2024. 

Other Goals for 2024

I am also planning for my business in 2024, and desire to see Betsy’s Balanced Living reach and encourage more people. Some of my other goals for the year include beginning to work on phase 1 of our backyard landscaping plan, reading 2 books a month, and getting our digital photos organized. Each of those goals will be broken down a little more and put in my calendar. What are your goals for 2024? I encourage you to spend some time this week, dreaming, planning, and praying about what 2024 will be for you. 

Introducing the 40 Day Sugar Fast: If one of your goals for 2024 is to work on your physical health, I’m here to help you! To kick start your journey to better health, I'm excited to share a transformative opportunity—the January 40-Day Sugar Fast. This intentional period of refraining from added sugars isn't just about what we eat; we’ll also look at why we are drawn to sugar and how we can replace that by drawing near to God. We'll get started January 8th on the sugar fast but signups will start tomorrow and end on January 5th! I hope you'll join me in this intentional start to 2024, click here to sign up!

As we stand at the threshold of a new year, let's embark on a journey that encompasses not only physical health but also mental well-being and spiritual growth. Together, let's embrace 2024 as a year of intentional living, supporting each other as we work toward our goals. Join me, and let's make 2024 a year of improved physical health and abundant joy.

To join me in the January Sugar Fast, head to www.betsynewell.com/sugarfast to sign up!