I know that you want to lose weight this year

As the New Year unfolds and you start making resolutions, take a moment to read this poem by Becky Hemsley. Simple yet profound words.

May they guide you to your path with brighter lights.

"I know that you want to lose weight this year.

But I hope you’re planning to lose it in all the right places...

I hope you’re planning to lose the heaviness hanging over you

from the cloud of overwhelm that sometimes threatens to engulf you.

The cloud that grows bigger as your voice gets smaller and you grow less sure of yourself.

You can shed that weight by saying ‘no’ more often,

and listening to your inner voice.

I hope you’re planning to ease the pressure that you put on yourself.

The pressure to be everything; to be the most successful, the funniest, the prettiest, the strongest. The pressure to be the best.

You can shed that weight by remembering that you are enough,

just as you are.

I hope you’re planning to lighten the load that you carry.

The one of never-ending jobs and ever-present roles that are often compounded by feelings of doubt and of guilt and exhaustion.

You can shed that weight by reminding yourself to take a break

and take a breath.

So I hope you’re planning to lose weight next year.

I hope you raise your voice and hold your space.

I hope you stand your ground and embrace your worth.

And I hope it helps you step out from under that oppressive

heaviness, shrug off the pressures and put down the burdens.

And I hope that this time next year

you feel a whole lot lighter"

-Becky Hemsley 2024