Every January, I feel the pull to jot down resolutions and dream up ways to become a “better” version of myself. Exercise more. Eat healthier. Lose weight. You know the list.
For 2025, I’m taking a different approach. Instead of chasing a “new me,” I’m choosing to appreciate the me I already am—even when I stumble.
Over the holidays, I felt my Protective Pattern of Attacking rear its head during a stressful moment with my family. I asked my husband to help with a few things, and he didn’t help within the timeline I had created in my head. Did I share that timeline? No…So how was he supposed to know? I said something sharp and regretted it almost immediately.
Even though I regularly practice my resilience skills, in the past, when moments like these happened, I would have spiraled into self-criticism, focusing only on what I did wrong. But this time, I took a breath, shifted gears, and let it go in the moment.
The next day, after I had time to reflect, I apologized, repaired the connection, and thought about what had triggered my reaction.
At Dovetail Learning, we believe growth is less about always needing to avoid mistakes and more about what we do next. It’s about choosing self-awareness, compassion, and connection over perfection. That is the heart of resilience.
- Mistakes happen: They’re part of being human, not a sign of failure.
- What I do next matters more: Repair and reflection are more powerful than perfection.
- I am more than my missteps: My strengths, kindness, and resilience shine even in hard moments.
- Self-compassion is key: Growth begins with understanding, not judgment.
So, as we step into 2025, let’s focus on celebrating who we are and acknowledging the ways we can show up for ourselves—even when things get messy.
Here’s a question for you: What’s a small step you can take to practice self-compassion after a misstep in 2025?
With compassion and gratitude,
Kristie and the Dovetail Team
P.S.
During my holiday with my family, I used several skills—Noticing Myself, Breathing Mindfully, and Letting Go—to work through her Protective Pattern of Attacking. If you’d like to explore these concepts further, check out the online We Are Resilient community, where the conversation continues.