As I thought about what to write as 2023 comes to a close, I went to Spotify to see what my most played songs of the year were. Music doesn't lie, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover what these tunes told me about this year of profound transformation and transition.

 

I hope you enjoy this fun letter framed around five of my most-played songs of the year. May it inspire you as you close out 2023 and enter a new year. If you want to listen along, here's the playlist!

I began the year with the principle of Lion's Roar to help guide me. I wrote in an early 2023 newsletter that:

 

 

My intentions for the year were to bravely use my voice, be myself, develop resilience, and unhook myself from old expectations. 

 

I'm not going to lie; it was tough. Financially, things were quite difficult; I was still healing from a traumatic event and recovering from burnout at the same time. Despite all these challenges, I became more alive and joyful each day.

 

In Ayla Nereo's song "Fire," she talks about rising as a phoenix amidst constant battles of opinions and learning to find each other again. It's a heart-breaking and heart-mending song at the same time. I related to it personally, and it acted as a beacon of hope and a path to embracing life as it is.

 

It took me all year to begin to make peace with what I saw as increasing dehumanization and polarization, and I realized that I would no longer use my voice as a force of opposition. 

 

Instead, I embraced my gift of sharing larger perspectives that can bring us back to one another. It's not an easy road, but dharmic nonetheless. 

At some point, something just clicked. On June 30th, I woke up and knew my burnout was over. I can't describe it; I just knew. While there are some areas I'm still easing into, six months on, the burnout has yet to return in any significant way.

 

I started dancing again. Now, I'm not a dancer, but you will find me moving to "Best Self" by Chris-n-Teeb most days. It could be a subtle chair dance in a coffee shop, swaying along as I walk home, or a full-on dance party in my office before work. In fact, this is the song I dance to the most as I start my day. It just makes me so happy!

 

This song is another I dance to all the time, but it's more than that. This is one of the songs that helped me come back to myself the most. More accurately, the song helped me come towards myself the most.

 

 

If I were to sum up my healing journey, it would be the above line. 

 

This is such a song of reclamation. I feel empowered, and I often play this one on repeat! Let me know what you think of it.

Something was changing inside. It was a slow and steady shift in energy and frequency that felt good and expansive. The challenges were still there, but I knew I couldn't identify with them anymore. 

 

I wrote myself a prayer, spoke it out loud, and released my silent shame by sharing more of my story. More importantly, I took responsibility for what nourishes me and began forgiving myself.

 

I remember the day I truly chose life as it is. It was October 1st, on Stacy and I's 14-year anniversary. I simply stopped struggling to hold on to what was. 

 

I trusted myself enough to know that no matter what, I am transferrable in any situation, and it was at that moment that I fully embraced my Lion's Roar.

 

This song marks this shift. I smile whenever I hear it and remember who I really am. I think you'll love it! 

 

And a year's reflection would only be complete with reminiscing about Stacy and I's wedding. This is my favourite photo of the day. We're dancing to Everywhere, which is our song.  Tears fill my eyes when I think about how far we've come as individuals and as a couple.

 

My love for Stacy grows every day. We grew stronger than I could have imagined out of all the challenges. Here's a line from my vows:

 

 

If I've learned anything from this year and the last few, it's that what really matters is the love you have in your heart. The people close to you and having a good relationship with yourself make all the difference.

 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here. I'm wishing you a fabulous new year. May you be well.

P.S. Clearly I write long letters. If you got to the end, hit reply with an emoji or a song you love :) You're awesome!