Renewed

2018 is YOUR year. You may be sitting there thinking, "How is this year possibly going to turn out positive for me?" This past year may have not turned out exactly how you would of planned or how you envisioned it would go. I just hope that you haven't lost some of your beauty along the way. 

Getting very vulnerable here.

I know how easy it can be to feel totally insignificant. When bullying took over my high school days, depression soon followed. It was such a weird feeling knowing that I had such an amazing support system around me but I didn't fully believe anyone could help me get out of the mess I was in. Everyday I would wake up and tell myself, "Today is going to be a better day" and everyday I came home crying. I felt so alone in those moments. I fought for better days but they never came until I made a decision to not let the people in my life stop me from becoming successful. I also came to understand that I wasn't really alone. Jesus heard my every cry and He helped pull me out of the black hole of depression. When I say that this year is going to be better for you, I believe it with my whole heart. 

This year, it's all about feeling renewed. Whatever's damaged you, doesn't have to anymore. Whoever's hurt you, doesn't have to anymore. Even if you've done some things you haven't been proud of, that's okay too. All is forgiven and renewed. On that note, you have start exchanging your negative self-talk for some more uplifting language.

When I was in high school, I had to put sticky notes with sweet words to myself on them until I actually began believing it. Start writing down how loved, brave and intelligent you are. When you wake up and look in the mirror every morning, there should also be a sticky note that reads, "You are more." This my friends, will begin allowing you feel that you actually DESERVE to have a good year. 

Today, go to the first page of your journal and write all of the positive qualities about yourself that you can think of. On the second page, write down your dreams. Set goals and give them a date. As you accomplish each one of these goals, flip back to your first page where you have listed all of your positive attributes and see how many you have come to believe about yourself. Slowly but surely, you will start seeing yourself the way Jesus sees you- worthy, flawless and so loved. Surround yourself with people who see these qualities in you. Being in a community of people who believe in you, will remind you to keep fighting and encourage you to be the best version of yourself.

By the end of 2018, you are going to feel more accomplished than ever. 

If I did it, you can do it.

XOXO, Lindsey Hilligoss