New Year Evolution
As the new year arrives, we reflect on the year we closed out. New years can bring up feelings of regret and discouragement of missed opportunities and accomplishments, and can come with pressure on how we must change in some capacity. It’s a time where we were just surrounded by people to celebrate holidays that can trigger some suppressed feelings we’ve held in throughout the year. Now all this sounds negative in its perspective of this time of year, but it’s the reality for so many of us. It’s a reality that should not be shamed, but it’s a reality I’m out to help improve in any way I can.
New Year’s is a time of reflection, but it’s up to us to shift what our focus of that reflection is on. Reflection on the new year can be a gratitude practice, as each year comes with something new to be grateful for! New adventures we've had, new friends we’ve made, and more knowledge into our own journey of self discovery. Reflecting on all you're grateful for can help you decipher what aspects of your life you’d like to bring into the new year.
So many of us continue year-by-year on a path that does not bring us fulfillment when the year is over. Many people reflect on years past not comprehending the fact that they are in the same spot they’ve been in for years. In many situations I like to ask myself “if I were in a similar situation a year from now, how would I feel?” Many times if I’m asking myself that question odds are the answer is no. The pressure of New Year’s resolutions and the intense change they can bring can deter us from sticking with goals of personal development and have us retreat to the same ways we’ve been living for years upon years. The goal of a New Year’s resolution is to not make it so extreme that it’s unattainable for the year, it’s to begin a habit that you can build upon throughout the year, consistently building upon your growth, so that in a year from now you can reflect and be proud of the accomplishments you have created for yourself!
Unsure how to start the year off in a sustainable way? Here are some of my favorite New Year’s resolutions that can help you build upon healthy habits throughout the year! Consistency is key, after all.
Start small, pinpoint an aspect of your life that you want to change, and decipher the smallest action needed to be taken in order to take a step in that direction.
For example, if your goal is to lose weight, maybe just try to add in vegetables in one of your meals a day! Small steps like this can help you reprioritize and have you feel small changes that motivate you to do even more!
If your goal is to exercise more and get more movement in your life, find ways to make it enjoyable! Don’t just get a gym membership you’re going to cancel after a month, find things that bring you entertainment, and then find ways to incorporate movement with them!
Enjoy Vibing out to good music with friends? Try an indoor cycling class! Enjoy relaxing and being outside? Check out a local outdoor yoga event! There are options for everybody, you just gotta find what works for you and stick with it!
Want to build upon your social life but are unsure how to meet people that match your vibe? Slowly start to schedule yourself to attend local events that match with what you enjoy doing!
For example, if you enjoy going to the beach, find a local organization hosting a beach clean up! You never know who will meet where, and what doors they can open for you too!
The journey of self discovery is an ongoing yearly journey we all embark on, whether we choose to or not. The older we get, the more we realize what we really want out of our time on earth and how that time goes faster and faster. Each coming new year we have a hard time processing the fact that the year has already gone by! It’s a moment where we realize that our time here is precious and a privilege. Allow yourself the opportunity to make 2023 a year of self discovery and more growth than you ever knew possible! You’d be surprised at all that you can do.
Interested in creating a vision board to help guide you on your year ago!? Come join me and Yogi Foria January 21 for our annual vision board party! Magazines and posters provided, but feel free to bring your own inspiration! Sign up under the events page here!