Here's the New Year lookin' at you; image from theguardian.co.uk
Here it comes, ready or not – The New Year is staring at us, peeking over the fence and waving. For some this feels like the taunt of an unwelcome relative whose presence at the door brings heartburn and heartache. For others it’s a time to think about what to do differently. What’s new? What’s coming? What’s exciting?
Newscasters are busy recapping the year, commentators are working to highlight the biggest stories, biggest scandals, biggest disasters, biggest whatevers. Yawn.
I’m taking a page out of my own book and revisiting where I was last year at this time .. and I’m not making a single resolution. Too much pressure with too few results, in my experience.
It’s far more productive for me to just say “no” to what I don’t want to do, what’s not good for me, or what takes me away from what really counts.
Saying no takes effort, especially for me, a people pleaser, organizer of the fun and keeper of the peace.
Saying “no” has allowed more yes-es in my life. Stopping myself from doing what I’ve always done allows room for unexpected and unplanned delights.
Saying no feels foreign, but I’m getting better at it. Here’s the rub: it doesn’t even need to be spoken. It can be our little secret.
I know that this can’t apply to every category in life, it’s not practical.
But .. rather than beat myself up about failing at an unrealistic goal, I’m quietly continuing the personal progress I’ve made this year and carrying it forward into the next.
I’ve cleared out the clutter in my life so I can do what’s important to me.
I’ve stopped maintaining relationships that aren’t healthy. Doing so has made more room for the ones that are.
I’ve gone to bed earlier, and looked better, than the results any diet ever delivered.
I’ve faced fears, spoken up and taken on new things; these efforts have energized me more than any $100 skin care product possibly could.
I’ve stopped trying to do it all, be it all, fix it all for everyone else. I’ve started doing what matters… to me.
I'm taking a more relaxed view of the New Year ... bring on the pink pants, lose the cigar.
“Your closet should contain 3 categories of clothing: clothes you love, clothes that fit you now, and clothes that garner you compliments whenever you wear them.” Peter Walsh, organizational expert.
Couldn’t the same rule be applied to relationships? Look around. The people you’ve kept close – do they “fit and flatter you?” Do you love spending time with them? Do they complement your life, your personality, your goals and your mindset? Or are you reaching for the same old shlumpy dumpy mess because they’re familiar and comfortable?
Making room – it’s not just for closets anymore.
Happy New Year, friends.
