This time of year usually involves moments of reflection and projection — reflections on the experiences of the past 12 months and projections envisioning the year ahead.
One of my favorite reflections is on my relationships, but not in the way you might think.
I am in a relationship with everything in my life: people, places, and things. I also have a relationship with myself, my thoughts, and my behavior patterns.
I like to reflect on the quality of my relationships with things in my life. Core things like sleep, food, and health. Purposeful things like my emotions, dreams, and fulfillment. Functional things like money, work, and possessions. Optional things like hobbies, media, and politics.
Every relationship needs attention. It needs intention, purpose, and standards. Otherwise, it deteriorates. It doesn't necessarily end. Instead, it drifts into a state of emptiness or dysfunction, just like an interpersonal relationship does.
This is an excellent time of year for a healthy reflection on the current status of your relationships with things. You may discover that your relationship with certain things could benefit from an adjustment, prioritizing and getting closer with some while deprioritizing and distancing yourself from others.
Answer the call. Do the work.
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