My first reaction for the new year — wow, 2022! And this reminds me how fast time flies. This year I am going to try and take things a little slower and live a little more consciously, in every way. The last of couple of years were especially challenging for everyone, and unfortunately it’s still going on. So how about we start this year with more awareness and consciously make the decision to try and improve every aspect of our life?
Do you think that most of the our new year goals and wishes end without success because we are just listing our wishes instead of what we truly want from our heart? We are trying to make plans, say promises to ourselves, and even we put a date for when we want to make it happen. Yet so often we still make no real achievements.
How about this year you allow yourself time to think, and instead of thinking of what you really want, try and think about why you want it, and what difference it will make in your life if you achieve it. You may think that that sounds kind of obvious, and that when you decide what you want then of course it’s something that you really do want. Yet according to statistics, 50% of our wishes are about losing weight and/or starting to exercise, and around 44% are about saving money. Although, only about 28% of the people who made resolutions were able to stick to any of them, and only 4% actually achieved all of their resolution.
So how can you be in that 28% (or better yet, in that 4%)?
When you make your wish list, think more of why you want it. For example, if you want to lose weight, which many people do, then what is your why? Is it so that you can look good in a certain outfit, or improve your health, or feel strong? When you find your why, it can drive your desire.
I would like to share some of my own tips that I’ve found work for me, maybe you can relate and they will help you as well.
• Make a decision after a meditation, or after a long hike or another form of gentle exercise.
• Don’t think or set any goals too far in the future.
• Look at success one day at a time.
• Put notes in the most visible places, such as on the fridge or the bathroom mirror or window to remind about the goal.
• Visualize as if it has already happened.
• I choose to not reward myself with pleasure food for my body, instead I try to reward my body with non food sources such as going for a walk with my husband, going to a yoga class, or taking time for myself.
• Writing things down also helps me with my goals.
• Most importantly, try to be honest with yourself. Sometimes we pick goals that become much harder to achieve than we think they will be. It’s OK to accept that, or even change the goal if needed.
• Practice gratitude every day, multiple times. This actually helps me to realize that whatever our goals are, probably we already have it in some way.
Improving our life is a never ending journey, so we should really remind ourselves and take it one day at a time. I personally believe that our collective positivity will help 2022 be the best year for everyone. Maybe we can finally make our goals and dreams come true.
Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou!
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Ayda Ersoy is a nutritionist (Dip.C.N., Dip.S.N.); master trainer (CPT ACE, NCSF, CanfitPro); registered yoga teacher; founder, Health Angel Nutrition, Fitness and Wellness; and founder, SMS (Stability, Mobility Strength) Intuitive Training System.
