What word did you choose and why?

Freedom

I chose the word Freedom. I am not bound by my past. I am not bound by guilt or shame. I can be confident in who I am. I can and will live in Freedom.

This year I chose the word Freedom. I had a coworker tell me once that I needed to live in Freedom. It was put so simply that it became a real light-bulb moment for me, and I’ve been trying to grow into that mindset ever since. I was able to encourage others to take the steps necessary to live freely, yet still struggled to do the same for myself. But here I am. I am not bound by my past. I refuse to be bound by guilt or shame any longer. My past has made me who I am and I can live confidently, and freely, in that. By the end of the year, I hope that I am able to find more freedom in the feelings that come with sharing my story as well. I want to be able to speak about it publicly without my voice shaking.

If you could go back and talk to a younger version of yourself, what would you say?

            If I could go back and speak to younger Erika, I’d tell her that you are worthy just as you are. You don’t have to pretend or try to live up to anybody’s expectations. You are worthy.