We are almost at the back end of this challenging year. It has for many of us been overwhelming- sad- scary- lonely- financially and emotionally a struggle.
So here we are…. how can we start 2021 fresh?
If you are the kind of person who always makes resolutions for the New Year, but then finds it hard to stick to them, then it might be time to address where you motivation is coming from, and where it is lacking!
MAKING POSITIVE CHANGES
Positive change can be hard to instigate, and hard to hold onto, but pushing forwards is how we invite more meaning and happiness into our lives.
You will likely already know what you want your life to look like, but the challenge then comes with manifesting these ideas into reality. In order to create the positivity you want for yourself, you will need to be patient and consistent, and to show gratitude for the opportunities you will inevitably create.
Today I am going to talk on some of the simple ways in which you can support yourself through the process of embracing positive change. This is a process that you can embark upon anytime, so don’t feel as though you have to wait until 2021 if this sounds like something you want to work towards!
LIST YOUR INTENTIONS
Thinking about your intended positive changes is fantastic, and the next step after this is to create a physical list.
Making a list is always a great way to manifest your intentions out into the world, and this is certainly true when it comes to making positive changes.
You may find that you have a few drafts before you finalise a list of solid plans for the year ahead, and this isn’t a process that you should ever feel the need to rush through.
Once you have a final list, pin it up somewhere prominent in your home so that you can direct your attention to it every day. This is a list that can have a permanent place in your home, and doesn’t have to be taken down as the New Year comes and goes.
Allow your list to inspire you as 2021 continues, and bring your attention back to it often. The things that you have written may change and evolve over time, and this can help you to stay connected to your plans.
ADDRESS NEGATIVITY
There may be a number of reasons why you feel as though you are being held back from reaching your goals, and making lasting positive changes.
Often this can be because of the negative influences in your life — the things that zap your energy and your passion. This might be in the form of certain people, or could also be any responsibilities that you no longer wish to give your energy to.
Figuring out what the negatives in your life are, and then working to overcome them, is a wonderful thing to do for yourself. It can of course be difficult to separate yourself from these sources of negativity, but becoming aware of them is the first step!
THINK ABOUT SELF-CARE
When you are trying to invite positivity into your life, it can be so helpful to make certain small lifestyle changes. If you are not regularly engaging in a self-care practice, then this is something I urge you to give time to.
Self-care often sounds like a luxurious gift to yourself, and it can seem as though this is a time-consuming thing to do. The simple truth is that you can show this love to yourself in small bursts on a daily basis, and doing so can really boost your mental health and sense of wellbeing.
The key here is to find things that make you feel good — things that help you to feel relaxed and at peace. This is something that will of course be unique to you, but you may take inspiration from the following list:
- Read a book
- Take a walk in nature
- Listen to music
- Take a bubble bath
- Have a nap
- Meditate
- Go for a run
- Dance to your favourite song
- Take yourself for a coffee date
- Buy yourself a gift
If you can make your own list of feel-good self-care acts, and then aim to include one of these things every day, then you will already be making huge positive changes!
If you are stuck for ideas when it comes to your own self-care list, then this can be a sure sign that you need to focus more on your own happiness.
BE HONEST & ACCOUNTABLE
Being honest with yourself is often much harder to do than always being honest with those around you. If you have been putting off moving forwards with your goals, then it can be simple to justify this to yourself. You might find it easy to make up excuses in your own mind for why you haven’t stuck to your plans.
Coming up with a way to become accountable to yourself can help ensure you avoid this!
Making a solid plan for how you will invite positive change into your life can be the key to your success. Breaking bigger goals down into smaller achievements, and then creating a schedule of dates by when you will have completed certain things, can really help you to stay on track.
For example, if you are aiming to get a new job or promotion, then you will likely have to do certain things to set this into motion. Consider if there are any training courses that will help you, or networking events that you should attend. You might already know certain people you can reach out to for advice and guidance, or other things you can do to improve your chances. Create a list of these things, and estimate a date for when you should have done them.
You then have the beginning of a serious plan!
LOOK TO YOUR DIET
Your diet plays a huge role in how you feel from day to day. It can be the reason you are bursting with energy, and on the other hand, can also cause you to feel lethargic and uninspired.
When you aren’t eating a healthy diet, then the way you feel physically and mentally can soon be affected.
Healthy eating is a concept that you absolutely can embrace, even if you have little existing knowledge of nutrition. Ensuring you are getting a good mix of macronutrients — carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats — is a great place to start. You can then progress to learning more about the different micronutrients you need, and the amounts in which you should ideally be consuming them each day.
And Remember
And remember ……. none of us is alone in this- look to friends and family for support- they are there and waiting for you to reach out. If you need someone to talk to there are mental health resources – for free – that can be found with a little research.