A new year, an opportunity to rethink ourselves
- Jessica Oyarbide
- Jan 5
- 3 min read
A new year begins, and almost as if life were a calendar in which you tear off a page to turn to the next, the start of a new cycle brings with it opportunities to reflect and decide what we want to achieve in the 365 days ahead.
On this occasion, rather than offering information, examples, or inspiring initiatives, this article poses questions that invite reflection on the role each person plays, the impact they can generate from their square meter, and what they achieve through their actions.
When we talk about Impact Businesses, we refer to organizations that seek to contribute to solving or mitigating social and environmental challenges while generating economic benefits. Talking about impact involves analyzing the significant and measurable effects that an organization generates in economic, social, and environmental terms as a result of its activities, products, or services. In other words, all actions—whether we are aware of it or not—leave a mark, whether positive or negative, on the planet and its people.
Every activity stems from a decision, and every decision comes from people with a certain level of consciousness. Caring for the planet and its people begins with caring for life. It requires understanding that human beings and the other inhabitants of the Earth are intimately connected, and that human action has enormous potential to balance and regenerate ecosystems or, conversely, unbalance them.
The outcome—balance or imbalance—depends on the actions taken, and these actions depend on previous decisions. Therefore, changing the way we act involves taking responsibility and becoming aware of our choices, from the simplest to the most complex. However, becoming aware requires questioning ourselves, and that can often be uncomfortable.
Some questions to start the reflection:
What is the ultimate purpose of the work I do?
What do I invest each of my 24 hours in?
How do I relate to others? Would I like to be treated the same way I treat other people?
How do I manage the waste I generate? Do I contribute to reducing, reusing, and recycling, or do I consume without considering the consequences?
What do I buy every day? Where do these products or services come from? How were they made and under what conditions?
If money were no object, what would I do?
In what activities do I feel like time stops?
What excites, motivates, angers, or worries me?
Some people are more sensitive to social issues, while others are more sensitive to environmental issues. But when an emotion is associated with an external factor, there's undoubtedly a starting point for exploring how we can contribute.
What is my purpose in life?
Questions open doors. Each person has something unique to contribute, but discovering it isn't a simple or linear path. Often, what excites and motivates us the most is relegated to an occasional hobby or postponed until "when there's time or money."
Finding your life purpose isn't like finding a treasure that ends your journey. Rather, it's about identifying what ignites your inner drive and beginning to walk a path with more meaning and fulfillment. It means taking responsibility for your own life, healing wounds, letting go of ties and things that hurt, and starting to pay attention to the signs that indicate you're on the right path.
Everyone has the ability to make a positive impact, starting with their square footage. Let 2025 be an opportunity to discover what moves you and, from there, contribute to the well-being of the planet and its people.
Thanks for reading. If you'd like to contact me, you can do so at jessica@marcasquemarcan.com or https://www.instagram.com/jessioyarbide/
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