New Year
As the new year begins, I took some time to reflect on the year that has just passed, and I wanted to share some thoughts. I have seen a lot of people on social media talking about how 2022 was a terrible year, and they are ready for a fresh start. Overall, I had a great year in 2022. I started my YouTube channel, created this website, celebrated a year of sobriety and grew spiritually. Not to mention, all the great times I shared with friends and family!
Saying NO to Resolutions and YES to Intentions
For many, many years I have made the same new year’s resolution. Lose weight. Exercise. Diet. Eat healthy. Sometimes they don’t even last a week! This year I am doing something different. Instead of making a new year’s resolution, I am setting intentions in my life. Living intentionally is something I have been working on for a while now. It has made life much more fulfilling. Being intentional means that you are doing things with purpose. Not just speaking into the ether and doing nothing to make a change in your life.
Set Yourself Up For Success
Over the past year, I have put many of these tips that I am sharing with you into practice in my own life. It is not always easy, but it is worth it! Just because it is a new year, or even a new day, does not mean that you are going to wake up motivated all the time. That is OK! Add some intention and discipline to your routine on days you don’t feel motivated.
These tips are in no particular order. They came to me suddenly as I was getting out of the shower the other day, so I jotted the ideas down in my phone quick.
- REINVENT YOURSELF – You can reinvent yourself whenever you want. It is never too late! I may be considered a “late bloomer”, because it took me to 40 to find a real passion in life. Don’t get caught up in comparing yourself to other people’s timelines. You are right where you are supposed to be!
- INVEST IN YOURSELF – Investing in yourself can look different to many people depending on the approach you take. For some, it means hiring a life coach or personal trainer. For others, it means teaching yourself a new skill. It can cost hundreds of dollars, or none at all.
- WRITE DOWN YOUR GOALS AND INTENTIONS – Write down your goals and keep them someplace you can see them. A vision board is also a good idea. Keep your intentions in the front of your mind so your goals don’t get lost in the shuffle of everyday life.
- PRIORITIZE – Start with the things that are most important to you. It can be easy to get overwhelmed by your ambitions. Especially if you have a lot you plan on working on in the new year.
- START SMALL – Rome wasn’t built in a day. And you won’t reach your goals overnight. Start small and make weekly or monthly goals for yourself. Reward yourself when you have reached a goal or met an intention you set for yourself.
- CATEGORIZE – Break your goals down into categories. I have an overwhelming amount of things I want to work on this year, including my channel, website, garden and home. In order to not get too overwhelmed, I am putting them into categories.
- GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE – Growth will require you to get out or your comfort zone. Embrace the suck. It will be worth it!
- EXPECT AND PLAN FOR FAILURES – Setbacks. Roadblocks. Interruptions. Obstacles. Failures. Whatever you call them, they are bound to happen. I learned the hard way to not get stuck once you reach a road block. Make a plan for when things don’t go as you expected, because it is bound to happen!
- START LITTLE DAILY HABITS – If you want to add a new routine into your life, but don’t know where to start, incorporate little daily habits into your day. If you want to start running each morning, set the alarm early and start with stretching. Once you have mastered that, move on to a walk. Before you know it, you will be ready for a morning jog!
- CUT YOUR SCREEN TIME – I think we can all agree that it is very easy to get stuck scrolling unintentionally on our devices or getting sucked into binge watching a new show. While it is nice to unwind and do something mindless, be mindful of just how much time this is taking of yours. Be mindful of where you are putting your energy.
- READ PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT BOOKS – With all the time you have now because you are scrolling or binge watching less, you will have more time to read! Read something that will inspire you, help you, teach you, or help you grow as a person. Even if it’s just for 10-15 minutes a day.
- LET GO OF LIMITING BELIEFS – You are capable of whatever you put your mind to! It will not always be easy. It will take hard work and determination, but you can do it! Talk to yourself and encourage yourself the way you would to a friend or loved one.
- SHOW UP FOR YOURSELF – No one is coming to save you! The work will not get done by itself. You have to show up for yourself and do the work! You are the main character in your story. If you want to change the narrative, show up and do the work!
- CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK – A negative attitude and mindset will bring you nothing but negativity. If you don’t know about the law of attraction, get yourself a book and start reading!
- CHANGE THE WAY YOU SPEAK – Don’t speak negatively about yourself. Talk to yourself like you love yourself (because you should!). Don’t put derogatory things about yourself out into the Universe.
- ASK FOR HELP – Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ask a sibling, friend or even a coworker for help. This journey can be difficult at times. It is OK to seek out help or advice from others.
- DISCIPLINE, NOT MOTIVATION – None of us are going to wake up motivated 100% of the time. It’s not about being motivated, it’s about being disciplined.
- GIVE YOURSELF SOME GRACE – Change will not happen overnight. There will be days that are hard and you are feeling down. That is OK. Just don’t get stuck there. It is easy to say all of these things, but harder to implement them. So give yourself some grace along the way.
- BE PRESENT – Be present in the moment. Do things with intention no matter how small the task.
This Is a Lot!
Yes, this is a lot! But success is out there if you are willing to go get it! I am making 2023 my best year yet!
Show up for yourself and have an amazing 2023. I am looking forward to sharing the journey with you!
Rebecca
