As we look back, upon the year, that’s drawing to a close
We sit cosy by the fireside, immersed in its warm glows.
We look back at the things we’ve done, the people that we’ve met
We reach out a hand to touch the fur, of our beloved pet.
We’re between past and present, looking back from somewhere new
We’ve come so far this year but sometimes we can’t see that’s true
As memories come flooding back, of arguments and tears,
Or all the times we cried alone, as we faced our deepest fears.
An angry voice, a screwed-up face, a hand raised up in rage
It’s easy to look at all of this, and feel that we have failed.
Let’s look at something else now, let’s turn to what was good
This was the year we removed our mask – finally, we felt we could.
As trees in winter shed their leaves, and show us their true shapes
Unadorned and bare now, the light through their branches gapes.
This was the year we stripped away, our limiting beliefs
No more people pleasing, or letting others cause us grief.
We stopped apologising, for being who we are
We learned how to free ourselves, from our past and all its scars.
We grew so much, in confidence, we can hardly recognise
The person we were at the start of the year, they’ve faded before our eyes.
We re-evaluated friendships, and we called time on a few
It happens, when we change and grow, it’s time to start anew.
We let go of what doesn’t serve us, like that tree that dropped their leaves
Like that tree, we protect our energy, even if letting go means we grieve.
Into our lives, new people came, sent by the universe
To fit with the new version of us, a blessing, not a curse.
We learned some lessons about life, and love, and true support
We learned to laugh and smile again, and not sell ourselves short.
I’m sitting by the fire still, just looking through the blinds
A row of trees stares back at me, as though they can read my mind.
I hear them calling out to me, the wind through their branches like applause
I rise from my seat, and take a bow, as my cat flexes his claws.
I stand proudly in my living room, unapologetically me
For the first time in forever, I can live authentically.
Like the trees I’ve stripped away, the dead parts I do not need
I’ve made room for new shoots to grow, and new ideas to seed.
I’ve removed myself from drama, mind games, competition too
I’ve declined invitations to events, if I was minded to.
I’ve set down my clear boundaries, for others to respect
And if they don’t, they are cut adrift, my energy to protect.
These were the lessons of the year, and I feel so free and light
Just like those trees, without their leaves, I can now reach my full height.
No longer weighted down, no longer living through closed eyes
Now I can stand proud, just like those trees, silhouetted against the skies.
Yes, I am bare now, and exposed, but no, I am not scared
I am me, and I am worth, the space I take up here.
We can spend our whole lives running, and hiding from our truth
We can get caught up in a pointless search for beauty and eternal youth.
We can succumb to the adverts, buy the stuff we do not need
We can plaster on a smile even when we feel aggrieved.
Or we can live just like the trees, and strip it all away
And live for us, and us alone, and that’s a brighter day.
So, as we head into next year, think of growth and being brave
Take that old life that doesn’t serve you, and put it firmly in its grave.
Rise up as you, just as you are, just as you’re meant to be
Embrace your truth, and stand tall and proud, just like the silhouetted tree.
Copyright Emma Oldershaw, 2024
