After some much needed time unplugged, I’m back in action and setting new intentions for the coming months. As we welcome the New Year, it’s the perfect time to reflect, reassess, and reset our intentions. While setting big, ambitious goals is exciting, the key to long-term success lies in crafting authentic intentions and manageable, attainable goals.
Embracing Small Changes
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Similarly, small, consistent changes are the stepping stones to significant transformations. Whether it’s choosing to eat a more balanced breakfast, subtly reframing negative self talk, or committing to read a few pages of a book each day, these minor adjustments can weave seamlessly into your daily routine, creating lasting habits overtime.
Mindful Magic
Carving out a few minutes each day for mindfulness can have profound effects on your overall wellbeing. Whether it’s five minutes of morning meditation, a mid-afternoon mindful breathing break, or a few moments of contemplation before bed, these pockets of peace can significantly enhance your clarity and tranquility. The trick is to schedule it into your day, making it a non-negotiable appointment with yourself.
The Buddy System
Consider bringing a friend in on your New Year resolutions! Whether it’s taking weekly class together, committing to a daily walk, or checking in regularly to share progress, having a buddy can significantly increase your motivation and accountability.
Recognizing and Overcoming Obstacles
It’s essential to acknowledge the distractions and excuses that have held you back in the past. Whether it’s a lack of time, fear of failure, or difficulty maintaining consistency, identifying these roadblocks is the first step towards overcoming them.
What if we reframed these roadblocks as reasons TO DO instead of excuses not to? For example, I’m a busy mom of three kids. It is SO easy for me to hustle through my day and just. keep. going. At the end of a week, I often realize that I’ve taken ZERO time for myself! Kids, work, households, etc. are a lot to manage, but as the cliche goes, “you cannot pour from an empty cup.” One major reason I prioritize practicing Yoga as much as possible is to set a positive example for my children, showing them how important it is to prioritize both physical and mental well-being. This looks different every day, and could be 5 minutes of wiggly mindful movement in my living room, taking classes with my favorite teachers online, or heading to a studio to practice.
We turn the excuse into the fuel, the time consuming job of being a parent into an opportunity to prioritize and instill the importance of self-care. It’s about shifting our perspective and turning perceived obstacles into opportunities for growth.
The New Year is a wonderful time for renewal, but each day is an opportunity for a fresh start. Embrace small changes, practice mindfulness, and have a buddy to stay accountable. As you navigate this journey, remember to be kind to yourself and celebrate every step forward. Here’s to a year full of growth, joy, and fulfillment! 💛
