Here we are at the end. The end of a year that left an imprint on the minds of each and every one of us. The end of those days that revealed weaknesses in many of us. The end of those moments that brought to light our deepest vulnerabilities. This end appears harmless for some and overwhelming for others. Regardless, we should not lose sight of the fact that at every end, another beginning is unavoidable.

In December 2022, some of us were celebrating the best moments of our lives, while others were busy planning challenging goals for the following year. Human minds seemed to be living in peace and prosperity. The world seemed to be on still water for most of us.

Then came 2023, a year that brought into question the sense we had been giving to our lives all along. Our daily life, our approach to the world, our way of looking at the world or our life is no longer the same. Some of us feel overwhelmed by a sense of fear due to the loss of a loved one or the only job that allowed them to bring bread to the table. Others are struggling just as hard.

Time goes by and things seem to get worse. A moment of breath is matched by an even darker moment. Hot and cold are constantly alternating, like the four seasons of the year. We feel weak in the face of this new life that has become ingrained in ours. Our mental health continues to diminish and impatience grows in our hearts.

This year that seemed endless to us has just ended.. And for a reason, everything that has a beginning has an end.

So many of us who have been fortunate enough to get to this point find ourselves at a loss. The end of the year, which used to be a happy and joyful period, is now filled with doubts and unpredictability. Some of us no longer want to make new resolutions because we are afraid of not being able to fulfill them. Others have given up any prospect of growth for fear of the unexpected. Things seem to be tapering off and our lives seem to be taking over.

Nevertheless, you should never forget that every ending is the start of a new beginning. A beginning that challenges the foundations of the cycle that has just ended. A beginning that marks the start of a new era in which you are the survivors. A beginning to a new life that is just as better than the one you have just completed.

Our greatest challenge now is to succeed in this year despite the unexpected circumstances that will stand in our way. Yes, there will be other hurdles that may rock our souls. Yes, there will be other unforeseen obstacles that could destroy any hope of a way out of the crisis. However, there will also be moments that deserve to be lived.

In a year that has crippled us all in so many different ways, there are still reasons to keep moving forward, to put one foot in front of the other and to work for a better future.

We will surely not open this new year with the self-indulgent gullibility of January 1, 2020. We are now loaded with knowledge, understanding and hard lessons learned from this past year. This year will also be filled with new opportunities and challenges that will test our mental health once again. However, we are more than ready to face them as a fighter whose only option is survival.

No matter what the circumstances you face, strive to foster wellness, honesty and success in your life. And remember the words of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”