And just like that, a new year is upon us. 2019 is a blank slate—a book yet to be written. It’s time to reset and start fresh.
What we all have before us is the opportunity to make this year the best year yet. I say we go for it. But, how? Here are some ideas.
Take Stock
Start the year by recognizing how wonderful it already is by counting your blessings. For starters, you made it! You’ve got air in your lungs and your heart is still beating in 2019. What else can you be grateful for? Look for the big and the small and write it all down, leaving no stone unturned.When you’re done, take a look at all you’ve been blessed with and how beautiful this year already is.
Take Responsibility
While we don’t know what the year has in store, we can take responsibility for the ways in which we manage our lives and handle the inevitable ups and downs we’re sure to face this year.As author Charles R. Swindoll once wrote, “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it.”
Start the new year by setting yourself up to handle anything. Put your home in order; get your finances on track; stock your kitchen with healthy, whole foods; clear out your email inbox; schedule time to exercise; tie up any loose ends; and present yourself as best you can.
In short, get your affairs in order. All of those things that you know you should do: take full responsibility for them and get them done.
You can also take responsibility for your state of mind. How can you view life in a more positive light, think kindly of yourself and others, and handle both the good and bad you encounter in the world? It’s easy to talk about, and improving your mindset is a process, but one that can truly improve your life.
Let Go
As we travel into the new year, let’s set down our heavy baggage, shall we? How would your 2019 feel if you could let go of, for example, any anger or resentment you’re holding on to? Might this be a better year if you decided to forgive those who you feel wronged by? What’s more, consider letting go of the expectations you have for others, feelings of jealousy, or even material interests.“If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down,” as they say. What can you let go of in 2019?
Show Up
One of the most beautiful and miraculous qualities of life here among humans is the uniqueness of each individual person. In 2019, be sure to show up with your true self and put your innate gifts to good purpose. Don’t underestimate the impact you can have in the world. Stop hiding. Show up.
Minimize Technology
In 2019, it’s not easy to eliminate technology’s grip on us, but it couldn’t be clearer that it’s beneficial to minimize it as much as possible.Audit your relationship with your digital devices. If you’re a parent, audit your children’s as well. Reducing the attention you and your loved ones give away to technology and increasing the attention given to nature, other people, and the real world is sure to improve the year ahead.
Improve Your Habits
Our habits make up a great proportion of our lives. If you want to improve your life, improve your habits.Take a look at those things you repeatedly do—your routines, what you eat, what you wear, how you spend your time—all of it. Where can you improve? You’d be surprised how impactful changing just one habit can be on your life.
Note that habits are not easy to change. Tackle only one at a time and give ample time for it to become automatic.
Leave Everyone and Everything Better
A surefire way to have the best year yet is to set out to improve the world around you. To do this, you don’t need to eliminate famine or cure cancer. You can simply aim to leave everyone and everything you come into contact with better than you found them.If you see trash on the ground, throw it away. If you pass a stranger on the street, offer them a smile. If you find a task undone at home, do it. If you notice your child expressing kindness, applaud them. If a loved one is suffering, support them. If a loved one is succeeding, celebrate them.
If you see how something—anything—could be better, do what you can with what you have and make it so.
Happy New Year!
