Dear Body: Thanks for Getting Me Through Another Year!

Dear Body: Thanks for Getting Me Through Another Year

Dear Body,

We’ve been through a lot together, haven’t we? Another twelve months of early mornings, long days, and moments when coffee counted as a food group. You’ve carried me through it all. Sometimes gracefully, sometimes limping, sometimes powered by caffeine and pure stubbornness.

And I don’t say it enough, but… thank you.

You’ve gotten me out of bed on the days when I didn’t want to. You’ve shown up for work, for family, for life, even when I was tired, sore, or just plain over it. You’ve kept going, even when my brain was screaming for a vacation that never made it to the calendar.

You’ve adapted to everything I threw at you this year. The workouts, the skipped workouts, the weird sleeping positions, the stress snacks, the conferences, the travel and that one night I thought “just one drink” was a good idea. You’ve forgiven me every time.

Thank you, legs

For climbing stairs, walking the dog, pacing hospital halls, and standing through events that went longer than any human attention span should allow. You’re not as fast as you used to be, but you’re strong. You’ve carried the weight of my day, my dreams, my goals and then some.

Thank you, hands

For typing, cooking, folding, cleaning, fixing, lifting, and comforting. You’ve reached out when I needed connection and held on when I was afraid to let go. You’ve done more than you’ll ever get credit for.

Thank you, back

For holding it all together, literally. You’ve endured awkward chairs, bad posture, countless hours in the car and more tension than any spine deserves. I promise I’ll stretch more next year. Probably….Maybe…Well… I will try.

Thank you, heart

For pumping through the stress, the excitement, the joy, and the heartbreak. You’ve kept me alive through every high and low, even when I treated you like a background player instead of the star of the show.

Thank you, stomach

For dealing with whatever I threw at you. You’ve survived questionable gas station snacks, late-night dinners, and a few too many holiday cookies. I’m sorry for blaming you when I was uncomfortable. You were just doing your job.

Thank you, brain

For trying to protect me, even when you went about it the wrong way. For keeping track of everything, even when I forgot to give you a break. You’ve learned a lot this year about what matters and what doesn’t, and I’m proud of you for that

Body, I know I don’t always treat you like the miracle you are. I’ve criticized, compared, and complained more than I should. I’ve called you names I would never say to anyone else. You didn’t deserve that.

You’ve earned my gratitude, not my judgment.

So, as the year wraps up, I want to start saying “thank you” more often. Thank you for the way you heal, even when I don’t notice it. Thank you for the deep breaths that calm me down. Thank you for the laugh lines that prove I’ve lived. Thank you for the stretch marks that remind me I’ve grown. Thank you for the wrinkles that show I’ve smiled, worried, laughed, and made it through things I once thought I couldn’t.

You’ve carried me through every challenge, every joy, and every “what now?” moment life has thrown at me. And you keep showing up, even when I take you for granted.

So, here’s the deal. Next year, I’m going to do better. Not perfect…just better.
I’ll feed you a little kinder, rest you a little more, and stop talking to you like the enemy.

Because you’ve always been on my side.

Love,
Me

Maybe your body doesn’t look how it used to. Maybe it hurts in places that used to feel fine. Maybe you’re tired. That’s okay. It means you’ve lived. You’ve fought, adapted, and survived.

This isn’t about resolutions or six-pack goals. It’s about gratitude.
The kind that reminds you your body is not the problem; it’s the reason you’re still here.

So go ahead and thank it. It’s earned it.