“A new year, a new life”. “He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; he who makes one is a fool”. “May all your troubles last as long as your new year’s resolutions”. We are all familiar with the New Year’s resolution remarks, we’ve maybe even used some of them. Whether you love new year’s resolutions or hate them, there is something refreshing about starting with a clean slate.
A new year marks amazing prospects. It offers a time to reflect on the projection of our lives and adjust where necessary. One can either get stuck in looking back and reminiscing on previous mistakes and failures or see a wide-open space of new beginnings and immense opportunities.
Some people dislike new year’s resolutions, I love them! It is a time to ponder, set goals and be open to change – new thought patterns, new behaviors, new habits!
In 2024 balance will be focus. Physical, spiritual and mental. My motto for this year is LESS IS MORE IN 2024.
1. Less talk, more walk
Even though more walking sounds promising for the 10 000-step goal, the idea is to practice what you preach. Walk it like you talk it!
At times our social media paints a totally different picture than the one happening behind closed doors. What we watch on Netflix might oppose what we proclaim in public. How we speak to our friends might be kinder than how we speak to our spouse or ourselves. The company we keep on weekends might shock our Sunday friends. One of the best things we can do is to figure out who we are, what we value, how we want to live and what the legacy is we want to leave behind.
Cognitive dissonance is the mental distress that results from holding two conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes - in layman’s terms, we are creating mental discord when we act in a way that contradicts our beliefs/ values. No wonder we have mental health struggles!
2. Less stealthy, more healthy
Most times when things are done a stealthy way, the motivation is to escape from being noticed - a lot like me in the gym. This year let’s focus not so much on the weight we need to lose, or the muscle we need to build, but rather on living a lifestyle that promotes health and wellness. Our bodies are works of art, what we put in, is what we will get out. If we create behaviors and habits that ensure holistic well-being, our focus tend to shift from short-term goals to lifestyle choices.
This includes what we eat, drink, our sleep patterns, and exercise. But it also includes what we choose to spend our time on, what we listen to and what we fill our minds with. We are body, spirit and soul and must take care of all three aspects of life, physical, mental and spiritual.
3. Less FOMO, more JOMO
We’ve all heard the phrase FOMO, fear of missing out, but have you heard of the joy of missing out (JOMO)? This year you have permission to say no. It is okay to joyfully decline in order to promote selfcare. Allow yourself to be content with staying in and disconnecting as a form of decompression and get the 7 hours sleep you so desperately need, the alone time with your kids, the quiet time.
We are allowed to peacefully enjoy the pleasure of pulling away from social responsibilities without feeling anxious that we are missing out.
4. Less Nancy, more Chancy
Fixating on all that is wrong is one sure way to get us to sound like Negative Nancy! Choose something to be grateful for each day and make that your focus. Be careful not to get stuck in negative mode as it can easily become a habit. Negative tendencies can cause our brain to distort the truth and is detrimental to our physical wellbeing. Having a positive outlook doesn’t mean ignoring your issues or denying they exist, but it might produce a willingness to try a different approach and take a chance.
Take more chances this year! Start a new hobby, make that call, book the overseas trip. Life is too short to hold grudges, harbor negative feelings or wonder ”What if?”.
We cannot go back to 2023 and change what happened, but we can start 2024 and change the trajectory. Be mindful, be intentional, make the right choices! While it’s easy to have resolutions, listen to podcasts, watch youtube videos and read inspiring books, it’s a totally different thing to start implementing those great ideas in our daily lives.
Remember less talk and more walk. Here’s to 2024! Make the most of every day!