There is a tradition, at least around here, of beginning a new calendar year with a statement of goals. A reflection of the last year and a resolution or two for the new year.
I respect this tradition because I truly believe that as humans we need to mark time with traditions like this. I respect the ways the goals of my past new years have helped to shape the life I have today.
But I don't really have any real resolutions for 2024. I've heard a lot of people lament this past year, and I get it, globally a lot is going wrong; the climate deteriorates, civil rights are deteriorating, global conflict has intensified in violence and severity. But my life was good. 2023 was a good year for Andrea. I am cancer free. That's huge!! I grew in my career at Sac State, and at Folsom Lake. I gained recognition, confidence, and grew in my sense of self. I am watching August grow as a human, watching my relationship with Chris grow and watch him grow as an individual. In watching Nathanial grow, my friendships grow. Everything is, as I like to say, on its trajectory. Things don't need to be perfect today, and they aren't, but they are getting a little better every day.
So what are my goals for 2024?
More. Keep going, do a little more.
I want to keep doing what I'm doing, because it's working. I want to keep being me, keep being healthy, keep growing in my career and relationships.
I want to get weirder. I want to get Witchier. I want to do more Wiccan things, more earthy/crunchy things. I want to trust my instincts more often.
I told Chris, twice now, that I'm going to get weirder. But that's short hand for what I want to say in a more complicated way, which is I know who I am now, and I'm not pretending anymore. I'm going to be more me, and I'm not apologizing to anyone.
