If you’re feeling down in the aftermath of 2020, you’re certainly not alone. The beginning of a new calendar year is a time to refocus on what we want in our lives. We can choose that this is a time to regain the balance that may have been lost over the past twelve months. Use the following practices outlined below to renew yourself in the new year.
Set the vision
How are you? want to feel? It can be easy to forget that we have a choice in the matter. After a whirlwind of a year, you’ll find that you’ve been in reactive mode for quite some time. Take a moment to tune into how you really want to feel moving forward. Write it down. Then write down the things that make you feel that way. Maybe it’s phone calls with friends, time in nature, healthy eating, or donating your time. Make a plan for how to do more of those things each week, even if you have to start small. Life will likely continue to test you, but having a guideline for how you want to feel and remembering that you can choose is a powerful step.
Create space
Creating space for what we want to create in our lives requires removing the old. Examine each area of your life and evaluate how you can simplify and remove the clutter. Remove trash from your home and office and declutter your space so it feels calm and grounding. Is your closet full of clothes you don’t wear that could be donated? Similarly, review your calendar and determine which tasks can be completely delegated or deleted. We often don’t realize how much mental energy is required to make hundreds of small daily decisions, ranging from what outfit to wear to what tasks to complete. In fact, I invite you to examine your beliefs and identify what you are holding on to that no longer serves you. Clear the clutter to create more space physically, mentally and emotionally.
Feed your mind
Do you know the expression ‘You are what you eat’? In the same way, your mind becomes what you continually feed it. Take inventory of what you mentally consume on a daily basis. How much time do you spend on social media (check ‘screen time’ in your phone’s settings menu)? How much news do you absorb? Staying informed is one thing, but getting caught up in the 24/7 news cycle is maddening. Taking a break from consuming any media can be a powerful way to regain balance by allowing you to connect with yourself, your intuition, and what really matters to you. At the very least, set boundaries around what level of use feels right for you and choose your sources consciously.
Nourish your body and love yourself
What if, instead of following a new diet in January, you decided to focus your attention on loving yourself the best you can? Can you practice self-compassion and give yourself credit for doing the best you can? One of the most powerful ways to renew yourself in the new year is to honor your mind, body, and spirit. This may include eating healthy foods, staying hydrated, and getting eight hours of sleep every night. It can also mean creating a morning routine that fills your cup, carving out more time to spend in nature, and being mindful of your self-talk. Choose this to be a time when you prioritize yourself and regain your own sense of groundedness so that you can enter the new year fresh and ready to support those around you.
Writer Katie Gerber is a holistic health and nutrition coach who serves clients both locally and online. In 2014, she completed Aviva Romm’s Herbal Medicine for Women certification. After hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2014 and the Colorado Trail in 2016, Katie decided to use her knowledge of botanical medicine and nutrition to help fellow wilderness enthusiasts in their quest for more energy and better health. She transitioned from her career as a pastry chef and enrolled at the Institute for Transformational Nutrition. She now uses her lifelong passion for holistic health with her background in culinary arts to help people live healthier lives, in tune with nature. Katie writes for various publications and speaks at local events. When she’s not writing and working with clients, you’ll likely find her in the mountains, in the garden, or in the kitchen testing recipes. Read more about Katie, her articles and her adventures on her website.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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