The start of the New Year is full promise and opportunity. It’s a chance to start fresh and also to look back on the past year and reflect – to see what we’ve accomplished and what needs more work.
Last year my big resolution was to DECLUTTER! Using my own advice 🙂 I worked diligently all year to minimize the clutter in my mind and reserve my energy for the things that count – things that bring me joy, strengthen my relationships, and give me with a deeper sense of self.
I’m proud of myself for the efforts I made to promote order and calm in my life, but looking ahead to 2015 there are still a few areas where I know I can improve.
So here are my 5 resolutions for a fantastic 2015 – I’m keeping it short and simple this year and I suggest you do the same with your own resolutions!
- Unplug and reconnect – Why is this so hard?! I’m not a big TV person, but I am definitely guilty of checking my email (and phone…) around bedtime. This year, my goal is to shut down all email by 7pm. The detrimental effects of screen time on sleep are proven, and experts suggest powering down all screens at least 30 minutes before bed. I find that I need more than 30 minutes to wind down at night, so I’m making a conscious effort to spend my evenings connecting with friends and family face-to-face, or doing something relaxing that I enjoy.
- Nourish a passion – Remember those things that you loved to do as a child that you simply “don’t have time for” now? Make time for them! Whether it’s taking a photography workshop, learning to rock climb, or starting your own blog, carve out a chunk of time each week to do an something that brings you childlike delight! These “play” activities help us to deepen our connections to others and to ourselves, cultivate healing, and reduce anxiety.* I’m nourishing my passion for writing this year by writing a book! Stay tuned for more details!
- Move more during the day – I recently took up CrossFit and man is it a tough (but amazing!) workout. Even though I try to devote time each day for purposeful exercise, there are a lot of great tricks to keep moving throughout the day – like taking a 15 minute walk in the afternoon, building a makeshift standing desk, or doing some relaxing stretches before bed. Here are some other great get-moving suggestions from Reader’s Digest.
- Get outside – This goes hand in hand with my third resolution! I’ve always been a lover of the outdoors – spending time outside evokes these amazing feelings of restoration and tranquility that reach deep down into my bones. Fresh air, sunshine (Vitamin D!) and wind on my face bring an extraordinary feeling of calm connectedness with the universe and I hope to capture many more of these special moments in 2015.
- Spend mindfully – If money stresses you out, you are not alone! According to the American Psychological Association, finances are a major source of anxiety for around 80% of men and women in the US. I’m certainly one of these statistics. This year my family and I are all making the resolution to spend mindfully – to fully embrace a “less is more” mindset, focus on quality not quantity, and to donate gently used items when we purchase replacements. Here’s a great article via CNN on mindful spending if you’d like to learn more.
I hope that these resolutions inspire you to make some positive changes in your own life for 2015. Remember to make any goals for the New Year realistic and attainable and check in with yourself every month to see how you’re doing – you’ll feel amazing when you find yourself making progress! Please feel free to share below your 2015 resolutions!
All my best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year –
With love and gratitude,
*PsychCentral, Margarita Tartakovsky M.S.
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