The year 2018 is almost over and I am getting started with my every year ritual of getting ready for the new one. So, I thought I would share a few tips with you that you can try on your own during this last week.
Number one is a sorting out everything that surrounds us. That is where you need to start since only when the environment you live in is clear you can think clearly and truly understand your feelings.
The outside world
Our surrounding has immense impact on how we feel. Because of that I myself do quite a few cleanings of all the things I poses during the year. As a human being we evolve continuously and naturally our style, interests, friends and others change regularly. The end of the year is the best opportunity to go through your closet, library, working desk or anything else you can think of. Things you feel are not giving you any joy can help someone else.
Digital detox
If you have gotten used to clearing out your possessions, why don’t you look at who is your influence in the digital world? I really recommend going through your following on Instagram or Twitter. Do not be afraid to stop following profiles that might be more demotivating and you feel worse after seeing their feed. I can assure you that you will not think of them once after they stop popping up at your home page. After that you can move on to your Facebook page and go through your friends list or check your email and unsubscribe to all the unnecessary subscriptions that clutter your inbox. I do this at least once a month and it’s serving me very well.
Electronics clear out
If you have gotten rid of all the unnecessary things around you it´s time to take a look at your electronic devices. Your phone, computer or even music devices. There is going to be plenty of useless apps, photos, videos and other files you have not utilised for months but are still worth having. These serve you no purpose in the particular device and therefore you can move them to some kind of an external drive in case you actually need to use them. Make some space for the new of 2019!
Once you cleared out your material world it is time for the inside world. There are many ways of analysing it and I will offer you a few of them in this article that I have tested myself. First, take a piece of paper and a pen, make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, burn your favourite candle or do anything you like to make yourself feel cosy. Sit comfortably and think about the past year and the upcoming one.
Recapitulation
Maybe you can find last year’s resolutions list. Take that and think of every one of the points you have made. Do not beat yourself up for not accomplishing some of them. As I have mentioned earlier we evolve as human beings so the thing that may have been very important in January does not have to be important after a few months and therefore you just let go of it and that is perfectly fine. If there is something you didn´t manage to complete and you still have the urge to do so you can simply focus on it in the upcoming year!
Whether you have or don’t have last year’s list, go through the whole 365 days and think about your accomplishments and the things you didn’t achieve. What are you most proud of? What is the painful thing you are sorry about? Write down the best memories and be aware of what they are. You can focus on these in the new year and do more of it. Think of your habits and if you have any you are not necessarily proud of transform them and make them into goals for the new year.
Goals, visions and dreams
It is time for my most favourite part that being writing down your resolutions, goals and dreams for the next year. Really think about what you want to achieve in the upcoming year. Don´t be afraid to dream big. If you do struggle with realising your resolutions, you can try to segment them into smaller steps that will lead you to it. If you want to write a novel for example, make your resolution that you will write a certain number of pages every month. There is a big advantage in writing everything down on to a piece of paper since it truly is more effective than just thinking about it. You can hang the piece of paper onto a spot where you can always see it and read it.
One step ahead
If you have all your plans written down on one place there is a perfect opportunity to do a little step ahead. So, if your goal is to be more fit the next year why to wait for the January first when you can start now. Why don’t you buy the gym card now or why don’t you go and buy the healthy food today? You can start whenever you want and get ready for the true beginning. Pick up your phone and make the reservation. Take the credit card and make the order. Sit down to your computer and search what you need. Be ready for the new beginning and don´t make yourself look for any more excuses.
To close this topic off, here are a few questions you can ask yourself before the new year comes:
What do I want to leave in the 2018?
What do I want to welcome in the 2019?
What am I most proud of this past year?
What happened this year I wasn’t happy with and I want to change?
What have I always wanted to do but was too afraid to do it?
What do I want to learn in the 2019?
Who do I want to become in the 2019?
What do I want to achieve during the upcoming year?
I hope I inspired you at least a bit on how to get ready for the new year. It would make me very happy if you shared your own rituals you do. I wish you from the bottom of my heart that all your dreams come true this upcoming year!