How to integrate your life through self-acceptance

Julie Murphy • January 13, 2016

Welcome to 2016: the Year of Integration

The words we say to ourselves can oftentimes be much more damaging than the ones others say to us.

Ugh, we did I eat all of that? I’m so fat! I can’t believe I spent all that money. I’m so irresponsible. That fender bender was totally my fault. I’m so stupid.

Why do we hate ourselves so much? Why do we continue to put so much energy into disliking the things about ourselves that aren’t perfect?

And how do we rewrite the script?

First, let’s talk about why you’re doing this. We all have things that make us unhappy about ourselves; that’s normal. The problem comes in when we see so many ads showing us what our lives should look like. Images filled with beautiful people on fabulous vacations and luxury cars are what we should all want, right?

It’s not helpful to surrounded by friends and family with high expectations. You’re a lawyer, so you should be driving a certain type of car. You live in a specific neighborhood so you clearly can afford expensive handbags and shoes. Why are your kids in public school? Everyone else in your family sent their kids to private school. And let’s not get started on the expectations of how we should look (all while trying to be everything to everyone!).

It’s exhausting just to think about all of these outside forces and the role they play in the view we have of ourselves. These things cause us to take a look at our lives, judge them harshly, and then belittle ourselves for not having what we should have or being who we should be.

Enter the Year of Integration .

Instead of focusing on what we don’t have, who we aren’t, and who we wish we could be, why don’t we look at ourselves as human beings. We have jobs, families, worries, struggles, triumphs, pain and happiness. Does a few extra pounds make us less worthy? How about not working the job people think you should be working? Or, heaven forbid, getting swipe happy on your credit card and carrying a balance for a few months?

We all make mistakes; that doesn’t give us the right to look at ourselves in the mirror and say hateful, harmful things. That person looking back at you is trying her best to be a great parent, spouse, sibling, child, employee or employer and so many other roles.

So how about this: look at the things you don’t like about yourself as opportunities to improve yourself. Consistently pursing growth instead of focusing on what’s wrong is a way to both be the best you and to live your authentic life – and here’s bonus: doing it this way won’t make you go crazy!

And one last thing: stop berating yourself. It’s a new year, a clean slate. Your debt or love handles or whatever it is you are concerning yourself with only have power over your thoughts because you give them that. In this year of integration, fuse positive energy into every facet of your life.

Action step

The beauty of being human is how multi-faceted we all are. We have parts of who we are that we love and others we wish to improve. Don’t seek to change the things about yourself you don’t like; instead put as much energy into integrating them into your life as you would towards the things you enjoy about yourself.

The Year of Integration is all about self-acceptance and wholeness, not a complete overhaul. Where you see negativity in self-reflection, there’s opportunity to use it to your advantage. Take this time to grow and find harmony. In 2016, resolve to integrate your life.

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How to End the Year Like the Wealthy Do

By Julie Murphy • December 10, 2025

Reset Your Money Energy for 2026 Every December, we all feel that pull, the desire to “be better with money next year.” But here’s the secret I’ve seen again and again after nearly three decades of walking alongside people from all walks of life: Financially wealthy people don’t just plan their next year — they energetically complete the one they’re leaving. They close loops. They clear emotional residue. They realign their energy field before they set a single goal. And you can absolutely do the same. As I share in The Emotion Behind Money , wealth is never created by logic alone. It comes from managing the emotions behind your money and understanding that money itself is energy. And in Awaken Your Wealth , I remind readers that energetic shifts begin when you consciously picture yourself stepping into a new reality, while compassionately acknowledging the one you’re standing in now. So let’s walk through the simple year-end process I teach my clients — one that spiritually, emotionally, and financially resets your money field for a powerful 2026. 1. Review Your 2025 Wins & Losses With Compassion Before you step into the new year, look back with the most loving, nonjudgmental eyes possible. I call it neutral observation . Wealthy people don’t spiral into shame when something didn’t go perfectly. They get curious. Ask yourself: Where did I expand financially this year? Where did I contract emotionally or economically? What choices were truly aligned with my values? Which ones came from fear, scarcity, or old patterns? In Awaken Your Wealth , the “Accepting Reality and Awakening” step of PACT teaches that awareness without judgment is how we break old money patterns for good. So breathe. Notice. Write it down. No shame. No spiral. Just truth. 2. Forgive Any Money Mistakes Here’s a truth most people never consider: Every financial mistake carries emotional weight and emotional weight blocks money flow. From my work in The 4 Spiritual Laws of Money , we know that your heart’s energy is more powerful than your brain’s logic, and intention is what redirects energy back into alignment. Forgiveness, of yourself, your past self, or others involved, releases stagnant money energy. Try this: Write down any money decisions from 2025 that still feel heavy. Place your hand on your heart. Say: "I forgive the version of me who made this choice. She/he did the best they could with what they knew at the time.” Forgiveness isn’t about letting mistakes slide. It’s about resetting your emotional money field so you can co-create something new. 3. Create an Energetic Closing Ceremony for the Year This is where wealthy people truly separate themselves; they honor the transition. You can create your own year-end ceremony using whatever resonates from your spiritual toolkit. Here are a few ideas inspired by the intention-setting and clearing practices throughout my work: Light a candle Symbolize releasing the old year and calling in the new. Write a “completion list” Include everything you’re ready to release: debts you’re no longer carrying shame over, relationships you’re energetically cutting cords from, patterns you’re finished reenacting. Burn or bury the list This physical act tells the Universe: “I’m done living from this version of myself.” In The Emotion Behind Money , we explore how inherited beliefs and emotional patterns repeat until they are consciously released. This ceremony is your line in the sand. End with intention Close with one powerful intention for 2026, aligned from your heart: “I choose a new flow of abundance.” “I trust that money comes to me with ease.” “I allow myself to receive the wealth I’ve been working toward.” As The 4 Spiritual Laws of Money reminds us: “The Universe responds to action.” Your ceremony is your spiritual action. Ready to Step Into 2026 Aligned, Clear & Empowered? If you’re craving deeper support with your financial reset, join me for my Emotions Behind Money Workshop in January. If you’ve been feeling the nudge to recalibrate your relationship with money, this is your moment. Let’s make 2026 the year your inner wealth and your financial reality finally match. You deserve abundance and you’re closer than you think. With love, alignment & a whole lot of possibility, Julie ✨