Holiday Blues & New Year Views
REFLECTION
The end of the year came and went as swift as a thunderstorm. It is the end of my first week back to work and as I step out of yoga today I just have a deep gratitude that I made it. I’m here 2020!
Town center is removing all traces of Christmas and for some reason this transition always makes me a bit melancholy. The warm lights put me in bright spirits and I tend to make this a huge priority in my home as well. This atmosphere indirectly creates the perfect euphoria for Christmas shopping. While most people splurge during Christmas trying to express their love for children and family members you should NOT do this if it leaves you broke and depressed in the New Year. For the first time I STUCK TO A BUDGET and I can’t tell you what a difference this makes. If you find yourself overstretching your means take these tips:
1. Don’t.
2. Shop for Christmas throughout the year ( my mother does this and it’s actually quite brilliant).
3. Remember that the amount of gifts you give does not determine the amount of love you have.
Time spent is way more important than money spent.
The realization that the season to be “jolly” is officially over is rather bitter for me because most people only remain seasonally jolly. It shouldn’t take a brightly lit tree or even a disposable present to lift your spirits. You should be able to lift them internally daily. So this year I invite you to make happiness a permanent residence in your mind. Notice I said mind, not heart. Happiness is a choice. I choose to be happy about every moment in occurrence. How do you start?..with self-reflection.
who are you?
Wherever you go, you take yourself with you. What you choose also chooses you…
5 SIMPLE QUESTIONS:
1. What did I do, create or experience this year that I'm really proud of?
I have this thing about wanting to conquer my fears and anxiety. So last year whenever the opportunity presented itself, instead of choosing the safe course; I made the decision that brought me fear and I just lived with the consequences. So this is the experience I am proud of, if you really know me you understand how big this is for me.
2. What mistakes did I make that taught me something? What lessons did I learn that I can leverage?
Be honest with yourself when answering this questions. A lot of the times the problem starts with people not admitting that they made one. Life gets easier when you learn and adapt instead of making excuses.
3. What am I willing to let go of?
Anything. What is meant for me will always be for me. Relationships with people I used to consider myself close with have slowly been dwindling and while sometimes it’s hard to endure. I had to realize everything is what it should be. seasons change and people do too.
This is NOT easy for most people so just decide what your vice is. It could be anger problems, poor habits or something small that can build over time.
4. How am I different this year from last?
This is where most people remain stagnant. They continue living without goals or definite purpose and consequently remain unchanging and unwilling to grow.
5. What can I do today to live a better life tomorrow?
My advice is to create new habits:
Definitely read more. It stimulates the mind and you can easily gain knowledge you thought was inaccessible to you. Even if you manage to only read one book this year that’s a start.
Exercise, you don’t have to become a magical gym rat. Start small, jump rope for 10 minutes, take a 20 minute walk, do crunches while you watch tv. Start small but whatever you do just start.
Fuel your body. Dreams don’t work unless you do. And you can’t work unless you’re clear in the mind, body, and soul. And properly nourishing your body is an extreme key. No one is asking you to go vegan overnight, start with eliminating fried foods for a week or adding a green veggie to every meal.