Aligning With Myself for the Year Ahead
As this new year begins, I am choosing to move with alignment. Not as a resolution or a list of goals, but as a way of living. I want my body, mind, and soul to be in conversation with one another rather than working against each other. Over time, I have learned that when one area of my life is neglected, the rest eventually feels off balance as well.
Alignment, for me, starts with honesty. It requires me to slow down enough to notice where I am pushing, overextending, or operating from habit instead of intention. In past seasons, I often moved quickly, believing that productivity meant progress. What I understand now is that speed without clarity creates exhaustion. This year, I am choosing clarity.
Part of this commitment includes being more attentive to my body, especially as it continues to change. Menopause has invited me to listen more closely, to respect my limits, and to release the expectation that I should feel or function the same way I did in earlier years. I am learning that alignment means responding to my body with patience rather than frustration.
Beginning my yoga instructor certification feels like a natural extension of this work. Yoga has become a space where I can reconnect with myself physically and mentally. It reminds me that balance is not about holding a perfect pose but about adjusting, breathing, and staying present. This practice is teaching me that alignment is something we return to again and again, not something we achieve once.
This year, I am also becoming more intentional with my time. I want my schedule to reflect what matters most, including rest, meaningful work, and creating memories with the people I love. I am learning to protect my energy by being thoughtful about where I place my attention and who I allow into my inner space. Time and energy are both finite, and how I use them shapes my well-being.
As I move into 2026, I am not chasing a better version of myself. I am choosing to live in a way that feels steady, grounded, and aligned. This year is about moving with intention, honoring my needs, and allowing my life to unfold at a pace that supports my health and peace.
Dr. Wilkinson
