Setting the Record Straight How not to fall into common traps at the beginning of the year and gain clarity instead
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new year is upon us, which means we may fall into two common traps: We can use the momentum for a fresh start or carry on like we did during the holidays, enjoying extra sweets and skipping workouts to have another glass of wine. Clearly, these aren’t the only two options, though they tend to be the camps we fall into. How about we treat this year differently? How about we look at what feels inherently good to the system—mind, body and soul—and do more of that? How about we align with what brings us the most comfort and joy? How about we choose moderation—neither perfection nor procrastination? To stay aligned with the version of ourselves we enjoy most, we need to get clear. We need to understand what it feels like. Let’s ask these questions to gain insight: When do I feel my most rested? How many hours of rest does it require? How much quality time with loved ones does it take for me to continue feeling connected to the people who matter most to me? How much alone time do I need?
What foods sustain my energy? Which foods are difficult for my body to digest? What are the trends that cotriute to moodiness? Bloating? Indigestion? Fatigue? Illness? What are the foods I love that keep my body strong and resilient? What foods do I pay for with multiple uncomfortable trips to the bathroom or interrupted sleep? We don’t need a static plan. Life always creates change and reinforces the need to remain flexible. So what are the non-negotiables? When we stay curious about our health, we gain knowledge. When we instill certain practices and experience the benefits from them, we gain wisdom. When we choose to eat poorly or overlook the importance of sleep, we gain wisdom, too, about the things that are best left off the to-do list. The best way to achieve a vibrant lifestyle that supports our goals and personal moral code is by setting intentions. Every day when we rise or every evening before bed, let’s take a few moments to decide what our focus will be. Intentional living is deliberately being someone we respect, living up to our word and doing
START 2019 WITH MORE FLEXIBILITY AND MORE FORGIVENESS THE MEDICINE? Start small. Make three simple lists. WRITE A LIST OF WHAT MAKES LIFE EASIER. Add a list of stressful situations in life. Use the first two to log the easy buttons and stressors in your current daily routine.
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SETTING INTENTIONAL ALIGNMENT By next month, make a point to shift your daily routine by reducing one or two from the stress list. Raise the bar by adding two habits from the easy list to the daily routine.
LET’S BE GENTLE WITH OURSELVES. No shame. No blame. No guilt. DOING THE BEST WE CAN WITH EACH DAY IS A GREAT PLACE TO START. During stressful times, let’s intend on taking each moment at a time. After all, there is no finish line. One step at a time will keep us truckin’.
what supports our vision. If we want to receive goodness, it may go without saying we need to inject it into our days. The conversations we have, the company we keep and whether we engage in trustworthy or risky business make it necessary for us to revisit what we want the bigger picture to look like. Getting to the heart of the matter requires a clean lens. When we zoom out, we can look at the different aspects of life: personal, family, career, home, health, relationships, travel, self-development. It’s important to give ourselves credit in the areas in which we are already hitting the mark. We understand that January and February are months of reflection and release. It’s not a matter of avoidance if we aren’t jazzed about shifting old patterns into new habits on Jan. 1. In fact, it’s more in line with our true nature if we continue gaining clarity through the winter and spring into action during March.
TOP: LEIGH-ANN BEVERLEY; BOTTOM: ARIELLE SIMMONS
By Caryn O’Hara
