Another Year Around the Sun: Saying Yes With Intention

As my birthday approaches, I find myself in that familiar place—reflecting on the year behind me and looking toward what’s ahead.

Birthdays can be complicated. Some years, they feel heavy—a reminder that the body creaks a little more than it used to, that time keeps moving whether we’re ready or not. Other years, they’re joyful—a celebration of lessons learned, opportunities taken, and moments that made the hard parts worth it.

This year, I’m choosing joy. Not because everything was easy, but because I made it a point to say yes—with intention.

The Power of a Thoughtful Yes

When I look back at the past year, the memories that rise to the surface aren’t the big professional wins or completed to-do lists. They’re the moments with my daughters:

• Saying yes to the activities they were excited about (Slime, movies, and amusement parks)

• Showing up for those evening chats with my teen even when I was tired

• Recording silly dances for social media so that they each got to be in front - and laughing way more than I expected

None of these moments on their own seem particularly life-changing. But together? They added up to something beautiful: a year where I had the energy to say yes—not just out of obligation, but out of presence and joy.

And that’s what made this year feel different.

Reflection on a year of yes

From Obligation to Alignment

Like many healthcare professionals, I’ve spent years saying yes to everything—because that’s what we’re taught. Show up. Step in. Be dependable. Be selfless. Do more.

But that kind of yes can become a trap.

It’s the kind of yes that leads to packed schedules, empty cups, and evenings spent running on fumes. It’s the kind of yes that eventually leads to resentment or burnout. And I’ve been there.

So over the past year, I made a shift: I started saying yes only to the things that support my personal mission. The yes that reflects my values, my energy, and my season of life. The yes that brings fulfillment instead of fatigue.

That meant saying no to some things I used to automatically agree to. It meant pausing before committing. It meant trusting that I didn’t need to earn my worth by overextending myself.

It wasn’t always easy—but it made room for so much more of what matters most.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

As I reflect, I also look forward. A birthday is a natural point for both gratitude and goal-setting. I’m asking myself:

• Where did I feel most alive this year?

• What gave me joy?

• What drained me?

• Where do I want to grow in this next chapter?

• How do I want to show up for the people I love—and for myself?

This is the part that gets missed when we’re constantly in go-mode. When we’re reacting instead of reflecting. When we’re checking boxes instead of checking in.

But the truth is: we need both. The pause and the plan. The reflection and the re-alignment.

Want Help Creating That Shift?

If any part of this post resonates with you—especially the part about feeling like you're always running, always giving, and rarely taking time to recalibrate—I created a workshop just for you.

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In this workshop, you’ll:

1. Identify your priorities in work and life so you can make the right decisions about what aligns with your purpose.

2. Find ways to add flexibility to your schedule and responsibilities—so balance and joy become sustainable, not rare.

3. Learn to block your time and integrate activities that make your work easier, freeing up more time for what really matters.

4. Explore how to advocate for yourself in your current role—or evaluate new opportunities with clarity and confidence.

5. Create an action plan to increase your balance, purpose, and joy in the weeks ahead.

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Because your energy matters. Your purpose matters.And you deserve a life where your yes feels good again.