Every January, we make grand resolutions about what we’re going to change and do – and usually, it doesn’t last more than a day. This year, why not try to develop a different mindset that you’ll carry with you each year instead of more unrealistic proclamations? Here are five ways to make 2022 a great year.
1. Take Time to Settle into This Year
There always seems to be an expectation that as soon as January arrives, we should automatically be over the festive period of December and feel motivated and ready to take on the new year head-on. Some of us will be well away with the New Year feels, but if you’re currently feeling more January blues than ‘Yasss to Jan’, don’t worry – that’s totally okay.
Feeling energetic and motivated doesn’t automatically happen just because January has come around. We can’t flip a switch and feel amazing just because we want to. Instead, think about what one thing you can do today, and every other day, that will make you feel good. What will raise your mood? What one thing can you do today that works towards something you want to feel?
Taking baby steps soon compounds bigger things in the future. Also, when we focus on immediate actions we can take – ones that feel doable and achievable – instead of focusing on the big end goal or destination that feels so far out of reach, we can get ourselves there little by little. Action follows motivation. Take a step to start something and the motivation will come.
2. Be Kinder to Your Mind
Self-love may be a bit of a buzzword, but it’s incredibly important to both our wellness and mental health – and this is true especially if we’ve had a tough couple of years. Looking after ourselves starts with how we speak to ourselves. The language we use to talk to ourselves, even in our heads, has a direct correlation to how we feel. Our thoughts become our feelings, which then become our reality.
So, start your day by saying kind words to yourself. Look in the mirror and point out three things that you like about yourself. These can be things that you like about your personality, how you look, your body, what you’re good at, or what accomplishments you’re proud of. Rather than picking out things about yourself that you dislike, this will set you up for the day with a much more positive mindset.
3. Set Realistic Goals or Resolutions
What is it about the “New Year, New Me” resolutions that make us feel like we need to make a lot of big changes to overhaul our life, just because it’s the turn of the year? The reality is that taking on too many things to change at once will likely result in not sticking to them. In fact, overwhelming ourselves with too much change will probably lead to slipping back into old habits. Make your new year’s resolutions or goals realistic to implement and manage, and create action steps on how you are going to achieve them.
4. Move in Ways You Enjoy This Year
Movement and exercise are so important to our health – both mentally and physically – and for our overall happiness. Focus on ways that you enjoy moving your body! Our bodies tell us so much if we just choose to listen to them. What feels good to you? This is the key to not only getting into an exercise or fitness routine, but also sticking to it. If you don’t enjoy something, you’re not going to keep doing it.
Make sure the exercises you do this year are a celebration of how it makes you feel, rather than as a punishment for what you’ve eaten over the weekend. Our bodies are amazing, and we should treat them as such! Also, as a little tip to get into exercise this year, find a workout buddy if you’re feeling sluggish and unmotivated. This will help keep you accountable for going to classes, walks, or the gym. Try to even add some socialising into your exercise regime to keep you motivated!
5. Detox Your Life
No, I don’t mean spending a few days drinking cold-pressed green juice. Look at the set-up of your life. Consider your environment, relationships, and habits, and see where you can get rid of some toxicity. This includes friends who don’t support you anymore, toxic relationships, eating habits that don’t make you feel good, and saying no to things you don’t want to do. When we focus on improving ourselves and our lives first, we’re then able to be the best versions of ourselves to other people.
