Happy New year!
I know whenever the year begins I’m always excited to go in with fresh perspectives and hold onto important insights that will help me to have a great year. This always proves difficult to hold on to as the months pass and I get busier, but I’m still hopeful each year!
So to celebrate the gift we’ve been given of moving into a new year, here are some thoughts on how you can maintain peace and enjoy your life as you grow in happiness in the midst of disconnect and busyness.
Be more authentic
There are some questions you need to ask yourself. What will make you feel happy and fulfilled and are you using your time proportionately to pursue those things? Is everything you are involved in and working toward leading you to the things you truly want? Does everything you’re doing serve a purpose?
These are the kind of questions I come back to each year. I try to set up my goals and schedule to focus on the answer to these questions. Sadly, it’s easier to go with the flow and live your life focusing on things with no lasting value. We can get caught focusing on what others have or so consumed with negativity that it traps us in a emotional mire. None of that is going to get us to a place of inward authenticity and joy. If you take time to ask yourself what it is you want you may find that you have become distracted over time.
What do you truly want out of life this year?
Be appreciative
We each need to find things in our lives to be thankful for. It requires effort to look at even the smallest things to thank God for. Learn to notice the blessings and treasures you have. Learn to appreciate those around you and how they add value to your life.
Embrace true self-care
Focusing on self-care in your life is a sure way to feel better. Dream, plan, rest- go to bed earlier and eat healthier. If possible, connect with a therapist. Putting your health first in the new year will only allow you to reap benefits.
Embrace discipline
Adding more discipline to your life can have a tremendous effect on your well being. Grow in your spiritual disciplines, read the bible, fast, pray, worship, grow in the fruit of the spirit. Maintain a simple exercise schedule. Take time to declutter and deep clean. All of these will give you an emotional boost provided you are able to approach these areas even in a small and steady way.
Bring Joy
Do things to bring joy to others. An older lady I know that lives in a home was telling me how much she loves to make others that live in her seniors building happy. She goes out of her way to make jokes to bring joy to others and in turn receives so much joy back. Doing things for those around you is an easy way to feel good.
Keep emotional boundaries
Put less energy into trying to appease and emotionally care for other adults in your life(at the expense of yourself). Sometimes people are not willing to notice the negative effect they have on you and can put the demands of their own happiness and success on you. Release yourself from the responsibility of trying to fill in the gap for those that are not doing their own personal work. You can help people but ultimately happiness is up to them.
In these simple ways you can bring a little bit more enjoyment to your year and give yourself things to try and look forward to. I wish you a Happy -God filled- New Year!
What are some things you will do to grow in happiness this new year? Let me know in the comments.
Dear Nana.
Happy New Year! Nana, this post reminds me of my behavior and how difficult it has been to change it. I’ve worked hard and constantly reviewed my conduct for the past two years. That’s why this quote of yours is a pearl for me:
“Put less energy into trying to appease and emotionally care for other adults in your life(at the expense of yourself). Sometimes people are not willing to notice the negative effect they have on you and can put the demands of their own happiness and success on you. Release yourself from the responsibility of trying to fill in the gap for those that are not doing their own personal work. You can help people but ultimately happiness is up to them.”
Thank you!
Happy New Year! Yes I think we have all had to learn the hard way but it’s a great time to reevaluate.