Intentionality in 2024

I normally pray about a word for the year. 2023 was certainly a year of challenges for myself and my family. My husband lost his sister in March unexpectedly and his mother in November after a long illness. I lost my mother in December after a short illness. For many months I felt like I was living in survival mode during the year.

Changes

I retired from my nursing career on November 1st and that was the week my mom was found to have a lung mass and I drove 10 hours to Ohio to care for my mom the day after on November 2nd. My mother transitioned to heaven on December 20th and we had her service on January 6th. Entering January every year now, my mind is brought to my son’s death anniversary which is the middle of the month. Since his death, I generally don’t start viewing my new year until February.

Reflecting

Here I am, and it’s February 7th. The months since I retired feel like a blur now. At the end of the year at some point, I began to consider a word for 2024. In 2023, many doors shut. Entering 2024, I no longer got up early and went to work every morning. Our mothers had passed and we no longer had to think about how long they would be able to stay in their homes independently or how they would be cared for. Side note, I just love that in God’s plan and the wishes of our moms, we were able to provide care for our moms 24/7 when they needed it and were able to stay at home as they both desired. As I prayed about 2024 the word INTENTIONAL spoke to me.

Intentionality

When the word INTENTIONAL spoke to my heart, I realized this is how I am choosing to live in 2024. As a wellness coach, I learned that all areas of our lives have an impact on the other areas. For the past few years, I have not lived intentionally. I believe I was in survivor mode. While I loved the role I had in my nursing career, still I knew it was time to close that door for several years. My heart was aching to be home. I envisioned working for myself and having more time freedom. While 2023 was stress-filled and overwhelming for many days, I am now in 2024 and experiencing peace like I have not had in decades. I like how the Living Bible reads for Proverbs 16:3 “commit your work to the Lord, then it will succeed”.

Committing My Work to the Lord

As I stated earlier, every area of your life affects all the other areas. I desire to create change in so many areas. Making intentional choices and allowing God to order those steps, for me at least is going to be key. (Proverbs 16:9). Areas I’m focusing on this year are many. However, baby steps in each area will prevent me from getting overwhelmed in all these areas. I’m focusing right now on:

• Spiritual and prayer life
• Health choices/lifestyle
• Family/Relationships
• Self-Care
• Slowing down
• Home Business
• Decluttering
• Fun/Balance
• Financial Freedom

That may seem like a long list. This list just represents areas of my life that make up a whole. These are the areas at this time where I see a need to be intentional. I do a bit of mind-mapping in each of these areas. The topics are too broad and I get very specific in each area with what I want to accomplish.

2024 For You

What does your 2024 look like? I don’t like to set New Year’s Goals. In the past, I’ve let so many goals fall by the wayside. This is why I plan to act intentionally in each of the areas I listed. Did you set goals for the year? You may be a bit more organized that way than myself. Try writing down general areas you want to see improvement in. Do a little mind-mapping in each area for the specific things you desire to see happen. Make your vision plain! (Habakkuk 2:2) I’d LOVE to hear if any of this resonates with you! Do you want more information about what mind mapping is or creating your vision? Write me at joycelynn@joycelynnharrell.com and let’s connect!

Be Whole,

Joycelynn