New Year, Same Me But Better

I learned something critical in 2022,

with each new year, I am not magically becoming a “new me” at the stroke of midnight on December 31st,

on January 1st, I am still Shereen

At first, this realization terrified me. If I’ll never change…then is who I am now, all I am destined to be?

The answer is yes and no. I will always be Shereen, but I won’t always be the Shereen you know today

You see, we go through many phases in our life

The first is childhood, as a child, we are enamored by everything and everyone. Eager to consume as much stimulation, knowledge, and experiences as we can.

The second is adolescence, we spend this time seeking attention, acceptance, and affection. We want so desperately to be center stage, under the unwavering gaze of our peer’s affection.

The third is adulthood, now we suddenly want to disappear. To evade our stressors, shortcomings, and discover solace in ourselves. We hope to disappear until we magically find ourselves. Only then, can we confidently re-enter society – proud and excited to share the person we have discovered.

See I think the saying, “I must escape to find myself” is entirely misguided and inaccurate.

There is nowhere on this planet that can provide a sense of belonging, purpose, and fulfillment outside of our own minds.

We are the sole decider of our happiness. We each have a choice. We have the choice to decide how we view our circumstances. We have the choice to be grateful rather than spiteful.

We have the choice to slow down and listen. Listen to our heart, mind, and soul and discover what we needed all along. Only then will we discover what we need to truly be ourselves.

This year I chose to be happy.

This year I chose to find belonging.

This year I chose to find fulfillment.

This year I chose to find myself and never let go.

I don’t expect to come out of 2022 a changed person. I’ve been the same person all along. I just needed a little help finding her…

hidden in the trees – among towering mountains and between churning oceans

There she is…

a mere dot in the distance, that only becomes clearer once you accept her as she is, perfectly imperfect