Satisfied

Satisfied...that's the word I would use to sum up the year 2025. Typically I choose a word of the year that will direct the year ahead, but this year, I decided to use that same technique to reflect on the past year. Satisfied is what came to mind.

One unusually warm weekday in November, I was sprawled across my bed like a cat, basking in the golden rays of sunlight that streamed through my bedroom window, feeling absolute bliss. Suddenly I realized... I'm living in my dream life! There is nothing I need to chase, nowhere I need to "get to". The dream that I had for myself for so many years; the dream I had once thought may never be possible for me but I could never quite release, no matter how hard I tried; the dream I decided to go for despite the challenges and obstacles; the dream that I'd been striving to achieve for the past 7 years--this year it was fulfilled.

I'm in a season of being, resting, relaxing, and fully enjoying this dream life. I notice I am more present as I complete small daily tasks like brushing my teeth and loading the dishwasher. I feel lik

e a haze has lifted and I'm living life in full color and in normal time instead of the foggy 2x speed I was set to previously. I was constantly planning and rushing to get to the next thing.

There are more dreams and things I want to do and achieve, but it feels like an important shift has taken place deep inside me. No longer do I believe that once all those things happen then I will be fulfilled. Now I feel like I am fulfilled, and it will be great when those things happen.

What are you chasing? What are you striving for? Are you living life in a fast-forward haze? What would need to happen for you to feel completely fulfilled and satisfied?