Howdy, and thanks for stopping by! I am excited to share something special with you as we embrace the new year! Let’s cultivate renewed hope for what I like to call “Hope New Year,” a journey focused on growth and positivity! This Christian woman’s lifestyle post is about how we can leap into an incredible version of ourselves and make the most of this fresh start.
I think hope acts as a guiding light, motivating us to overcome challenges and believe in the possibilities that lie ahead.
My hope for the new year is rooted in my faith in God and my resolve that Jesus made no mistakes last year.
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We all need that kind of hope.
It is indispensable.
If you left your hope in the last year, I want you to take this moment to reset and revive a fresh hope for the current year.
Girl, I know what it feels like to have your hopes slapped in the shins.
In my life, the last two years have been riddled with so much loss.
If you’ve been reading my Christian lifestyle blog posts, you know I’ve lost my mom and my brother. Both happened within seven months, and I was utterly heartbroken. I was also laid off from my job, and my oldest kid moved away.
It was quite overwhelming! Nonetheless, it’s important to look ahead and embrace what comes next.
Here is how I handled it all and why I need LOTS of hope for new year
Full disclosure.
I would love to tell you I floated through the grief while spewing scripture and smiling at every turn.
Christian Sister, that would be a lie as big as they tell in Washington, D.C.
No, I collapsed.
At first, I would not eat.
Rarely did I sleep.
Then I started eating EVERYTHING…usually when I couldn’t sleep. haha
No Judgement
I sometimes question how I deal with grief.
But then I realized I have no right to judge it.
I believe that losing my job allowed me to process the grief of losing my two close family members.
Staying in bed and staying in the house was part of my healing process, and anyone who judges me for it can kick rocks. Yeah, I said it.
Now that the first holiday season without them is ending, I feel hopeful for the new year.
I’m ready for my hope for new year mission!
My hope is rooted in my faith in Christ.
But it’s also hinged on the fact that I will soon redesign my life. The landscape has changed. I need to change with it.
Do you need to join me?
Let’s talk it through!
The first tip for hope for the new year is to let go of what was
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJ)
We have to move past … well, the past.
Personally speaking, I am moving beyond what my life was before and what I had thought it would be now.
Do you have something you need to leave in the last year?
Consider letting it go.
This requires intentional effort and self-compassion.
One simple way is to concentrate on the present and practice mindfulness, which shifts focus away from thinking about the past.
See below for an activity I created for you.
It is similar to (BUT IS NOT) cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and can also provide tools to reframe negative thoughts and address unresolved emotions.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), living in the past can hinder emotional well-being and personal development, while cultivating a forward-focused mindset promotes resilience and mental health.
I struggled to accept my current situation because of all I lost in the past year.
I couldn’t imagine my life without my mom and brother, so I couldn’t conceptualize my life now as it is now.
Some of this was just the normal grief process, but some people get permanently stuck in this cycle.
Another thought: holding grudges can hurt your hope for the new year.
Embracing forgiveness—both for yourself and others—is also key to releasing the hold of past pain and opening the door to a healthier, more fulfilling future.
I have a free download for you!
Download my free activity to guide you in moving forward and transforming the past year into a powerful, glorious testimony!
Should we talk about it?
I am thinking of doing a live Zoom call WITH WOMEN to engage in a discussion about this activity. Let me know below in the comments if you want to do something like that in January!
If I get enough interest, I’ll post a registration form on GodsyGirl.com. You won’t get it unless you become a subscriber. Click here to become one.
Finding new interests can boost your hope!
Finding a new hobby or interest can be an exciting way to uplift your spirit and spark hope for the amazing possibilities the year holds!
It will offer you something fresh and exciting to focus on.
Why not break up the monotony of stale daily routines or a hum-drum life?
What a great way to spice up the new year!
Whether learning a musical instrument, exploring photography, researching gardening for the spring, or diving into a creative craft, a new pursuit sparks curiosity and growth.
Curiosity and growth are embedded into the DNA of hope!
There’s something about mastering an unfamiliar feat that reminds you how wonderful you are!
Plus, having a new passion to look forward to fills your days with purpose and hope, offering a sense of renewal as you embrace the possibilities of the year ahead.
My new hobby: Geneology
Starting my genealogy hobby has greatly improved my mood and brought me hope during my grief.
Not only has it connected me to people who contributed to my creation, but it also makes me feel like I still have family. Is that weird?
Anyway, tracing family roots and discovering ancestors’ stories really brings a sense of connection to something more significant than the present moment.
Each name uncovered or story pieced together reminds me of resilience, love, and the challenges generations before me overcame.
As I learn about their lives, I think to myself, “If she could overcome that, I can overcome this!”
It also means that as long as I remember those who have gone before me, they live forever.
That’s a sweet thought.
Make no mistake about it—researching my family is a lot of work. While I have so much to learn, my family tree is blowing my mind!
Everything from my third great grandfather, Wiley Pope, a slave owner who fell in love with and “married” a slave girl, to a mysterious white woman, Elizabeth Wilson, on my dad’s side who lived with a former slave and gave birth to my paternal great-granddad.
Both of these couples stayed together for years and years!
Hey, you can read about my Wiley Pope here. He advocates for his family in the newspaper article, fearing they could be re-enslaved.
A wonderful Kansas judge, Chadwick, devises a solution. So interesting. Check it out!
Article from May 31, 1900 The Wyandott Herald (Kansas City, Kansas)
Here is an excerpt from the 1880 Census in North Carolina featuring Bettie Wilson.
Below, you see Bettie Wilson, a young White woman residing with her mixed-race boys.
Can you hear the excitement and hope my new exploration has wrought in me?
Clearly, my new passion for researching my family ancestry is giving me wonderful hope for the new year. Who knows what I’ll uncover next?
I want you to stretch yourself in this year and feel the same invigoration about something you care about!
Challenge yourself and find what gives you hope!
Doing something just for yourself can definitely give you fresh hope for the new year!
Here are some hobby ideas for Christian women to enjoy the new year and take on a fresh challenge:
- Scripture Journaling: Combine creativity and faith by designing artistic or reflective journal entries based on Bible verses. Amazon has lots of colorful stickers and markers you can use.
- Gardening for Gratitude: Plan to create a garden and use it to connect with God through His creation. I’m scared of worms, so this is not for me. :D
- Prayer Walks: Explore your local area while incorporating intentional prayer time for yourself and your community. I plan to walk on my treadmill this year – well, I guess half the world does, too. Getting healthy is a common resolution, isn’t it? Ha!
- Bible Art and Calligraphy: Learn hand-lettering and create beautiful scripture art to decorate your home or gift to others. I’m sure YouTube has lots of videos on this. Here is one I found!
- Volunteer Projects: Dedicate time to helping others, such as at a food pantry, women’s shelter, or church ministry. Now that I’m in a season with grown children, I plan to do more.
- Cooking or Baking Challenges: Try creating dishes from biblical times or learning new recipes to share hospitality with friends and family. I’ve always wondered if unleavened bread looked like the bread in the movies about Jesus.
- Knitting or Crocheting: While meditating on scripture or listening to worship music, make blankets, scarves, or baby items for donation. I love to knit and crochet. I learned knitting from YouTube. You can, too, trust me.
- Writing Devotionals: Start a blog or journal to share personal reflections and faith-inspired encouragement with others. Blogging has saved my mental health for years. I don’t even blog much, but it is a great hobby that can bless others. Think about it.
- Hiking with Purpose: Find peace and renewal in nature while memorizing Bible verses or listening to Christian podcasts. Go for a hike. A former co-worker created a hiking business and guides people on urban hikes. I think that’s the name of her business! Her name is Lisa Pena. Maybe you can find something similar near you. If you’re in Kansas City, visit her website! Experience God’s creation will definitely give you hope for new year!
- Learn a Musical Instrument: Challenge yourself to play worship songs on the piano, guitar, or another instrument. What a great idea. You know what I’m going to say. If you want some fresh hope for new year, go to YouTube and learn to play an instrument! Shucks, I might do that myself!
I hope these hobbies and ideas offer opportunities to grow spiritually, serve others, and discover new talents while making the year meaningful and exciting. Let me know in the comments if you embark on one of them and stir up some hope for new year in your own life!
Let’s get ready for something amazing!
The previous two years brought too much loss and sadness. My faith is activated, and the blood of Jesus is covering my hope for the new year!
I’m ready to move past the pain and figure out this new season!
How about you? What might you try? Tell me below in the comments!
