What Will You Do When You Arrive?

Dear friend,

It’s the start of a new year, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent the past week reflecting on resolutions, setting goals, and pondering the perfect word or phrase to guide your next twelve months. There’s something so invigorating about envisioning a brighter future, isn’t there? A destination where everything feels just a little more aligned, where the work you’re doing now will pay off in dividends of joy, purpose, or peace.

But here’s the real question I’ve been sitting with: What will you do when you arrive?

Not just when you hit a goal or cross a finish line, but when you become that person you’ve been envisioning. What will you do when you step into the life you’ve dreamed of and everything feels as it should? Have you thought about how you’ll hold that moment? Will you know how to welcome it—and yourself—with open arms?

You Are Welcome Here, Now

Before we go too far down the road of planning, let me pause to say something important: you, as you are right now, are already welcome.

You don’t have to change a thing about yourself to earn a place in this world. In fact, the version of you reading these words—the one who is sometimes unsure, who is striving and stumbling and getting back up—is exactly as you are meant to be in this moment.

What does it mean to be welcome? It means being greeted with love and compassion, without judgment. It means being accepted not just in spite of your imperfections, but because of them. And perhaps most importantly, it means extending that same love and compassion to yourself.

So before we talk about what’s next, let’s pause here. Breathe. Recognize that nothing about you needs fixing to be worthy of love and belonging.

The Destination Isn't the Whole Story

Now, let’s revisit that destination you’ve envisioned for yourself. Maybe it’s a place where you feel more confident, more peaceful, more accomplished. Maybe it’s something tangible—a career milestone, a healthier body, or a deeper relationship. Whatever it is, I want to challenge you to think about the journey in reverse.

Ask yourself:

When I arrive, how will I know?

What will I feel, do, or believe in that moment?

What will be different about my life—and what might stay the same?

By starting at the end and working backward, you can begin to identify not just the steps you’ll need to take, but the values and feelings that matter most to you. Because here’s the truth: the goals you set are less about the things you accomplish and more about the person you’re becoming along the way.

What Happens When You Get There?

But let’s circle back to our question: what will you do when you arrive?

This is where intentionality becomes so powerful. Because if we’re not careful, we can get so caught up in striving that we miss the arrival altogether. We reach the summit, only to set our sights on the next peak, never pausing to appreciate the view.

So when you envision that moment of arrival, imagine yourself stopping to feel it. Imagine looking around and saying, “I’m here. I worked hard to get here, and I am proud of myself.” Imagine celebrating, even if it’s in the quietest of ways—a deep breath, a whispered thank you, or a moment of stillness.

And then ask yourself this: how can I carry this feeling forward? How can I welcome each new moment with the same love and compassion I’ve shown myself here?

The Real Journey Is About Welcome

At its heart, this work we do—this striving, reflecting, and growing—isn’t about changing who we are. It’s about learning to welcome ourselves home. To see the person we’ve always been, with all their quirks and flaws and strengths, and say: “You are enough.”

So as you map out your goals for the year, I encourage you to start with that welcome. Before you ask what needs to change, take a moment to honor what is already good. And as you think about where you want to go, remember to ask yourself what you’ll do when you arrive.

Because the truth is, the arrival isn’t the end of the story. It’s the beginning of a new chapter. And you, dear friend, are more than ready for it.

With love and understanding,

Leigh William