Here we are again. An entire year has come and gone. It’s the time to make new commitments and set new goals for a new year that will be bigger, better and brighter. Leave these seven things behind as you close the book on 2022 and step into 2023.
Self-Doubt
If you want to be it, you’ve got to believe it. It’s time to make peace with doubting yourself and the person you want to become. 2023 is going to be a big year for you and in order to become the person of your dreams, you’ve got to believe it’s possible. You are worthy to be believed in; start with believing in yourself. Let go of thinking that you cannot build yourself the life that you want. You can.
Clutter
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to become overwhelmed is to be surrounded by clutter. The reality of clutter is that it inhibits the full potential of a space. That goes for physical clutter around the house or in the car as well as mental clutter when our minds become overwhelmed. End your year by making a practical plan to minimize and eliminate your clutter going into the new year. Tidy home, tidy mind.
Self-Disappointment
How often do you set a deadline for yourself and miss it? How often do you say that you can do it tomorrow, next weekend, next month, etc.? If you’re frequently disappointed by the lack of progress you’re making in becoming a better version of yourself, then this is for you. It is easy to make a bad habit of neglecting to meet goals that we set for ourselves. This can lead to a feeling of defeat and cause emotional distress, sometimes on a daily basis. Break the habit of letting yourself down.
Putting Yourself Last
If you’re anything like me, everyone else’s needs come first. Church taught me that “JOY” meant “Jesus, others, yourself”, and I enjoy it. There’s something that gives me the warm and fuzzies about taking care of my loved ones. What I learned this year is that taking care of others doesn’t mean neglecting myself. I can take care of my family AND myself. We have to look out for ourselves, too. You get more water pouring from a full vase than an empty one. Practice self-love by prioritizing yourself, too.
Chronic Stress
If there was ever something to put down immediately, it’s chronic stress. Deal with anything that causes tension in your body, creating physical, mental and emotional stress. Take inventory of what things bring out a stress response. After identifying your stressors, make a practical plan to improve your stress responses. Coping skills can be a game-changer in managing stress.
Unmet Needs
Having unmet needs is a sure way to put a damper on your mood. Take time to evaluate any relationship or environment that is not meeting your emotional, social and/or physical needs. Identify what practical changes will fulfill your needs.Communicate your needs at the appropriate time and be consistent in ensuring they are not overlooked. There is no reason to go into the new year with unmet needs as a habit.
Unused Talents
Talent is a terrible thing to waste. It is common for daily obligations to obstruct us from tapping into our talents on a consistent basis. Busy schedules, distractions and not believing in ourselves can prevent us from making space in our daily routine to use our gifts. There’s no better time to overcome that habit. Tap into your gift whenever you can. Let’s stop looking back and wishing we did something with our talents. Use them.
As we head into the new year, remember that you have the ability to reinvent yourself and revamp your lifestyle anytime to live your best, healthiest, happiest and most fulfilled life.
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