Ending the year can seem like a great daunting task or an epic adventure just waiting to be started. What is needed is a comforting wind down of the year with a positive twist! Focusing on solutions for things we might be stuck on. Just think, how about we end the year differently? We could end the year letting go, recharging and reconnecting, reflecting and appreciating, and setting gentle intentions for the year to come. Every year seems to end the same with friends, family, and strangers frantically trying to block everything from this year backward and setting all these lofty goals or resolutions for January 1st; only to inevitably give up shortly into the new year. So, let’s do something differently.
Ending the year by letting go and releasing what no longer serves us from this year is a powerful act. In that one act we acknowledge what did not have our best interests in mind like the habits we continued, limiting beliefs, and choices we made. We accept we made the decisions and now choose to make new ones. Solutions can be found through gentle practices for forgiveness, acceptance, and creating space for new energy. By making this decision to let go we are making room in our lives for new habits, new beliefs, and the confidence to make new choices.
To create a solid base to start the new year in we can address how we can recharge and reconnect with ourselves. Often at this time of year we feel depleted and overwhelmed. How about we brainstorm some practical ways to recharge our batteries physically, mentally, and emotionally. Methods of simple self-care rituals, setting boundaries, and relearning how to reconnect with joy. In the big picture these might seem like small things but they create a well-stocked toolbox for us to have in our back pocket throughout the year not just this stressful time.
This past year, has passed, what is done is done. Instead of focusing on all the things that went “wrong” this is an opportunity to focus on finding the hidden gems and lessons from the past year. The small gestures of kindness we received or gave out. All those positive sprinkles that snowed down on us all year. Shifting our perspective to see the growth and the gratitude even in challenging times is powerful. When creating a shift in our vision we are directing the energy to flow in a new direction. It is a way to gain back time that has been wasted on self-abuse.
To ensure we don’t get caught up in the societal desire of insurmountable pressure and unattainable goals or habits we can set gentle intentions for the year to come. We are continuing to move towards the new year but we are choosing to do so not with overwhelming pressure but with our own oomph. We take back our control when we use methods that work best for us. Choose to set intentions that feel light, flexible, and aligned with our “positive twist.” Strategies can be learned that include involving ways to visualize, create mood boards, or simply whisper hopes into the universe without the weight of rigid goals.
Social media, family conversations, and eye-rolling between friends often drifts down towards those dreaded resolutions or how pointless they are. Taking back control over our lives seems like it might be a great idea. Why keep doing the same thing year after year? So, let’s take back our power! Let’s end the year with a comforting wind down with a positive twist, focusing on solutions for things we are stuck on while equipping our tool box. At this point we have a choice to either continue going about the start of a new year the way we always have or create our future ourselves tailored to us.