A fresh start for 2022

Eager for a fresh start this coming year? After the last two years, filled with much strain and struggle, I am sure we all are. While we do not yet know what 2022 has in store for us, we are allowed to be optimistic. Coupled with our optimism, a good foundation to build from is being deliberate with our intentions for the year. This sets in motion an attitude of focusing on what we want, versus what we do not want.

The last two years of the pandemic put most of us in ‘survival mode’ with little to no opportunity to practise mindfulness and other key tools of living life well. This means we might need to relearn some of the basics of wellbeing.

It is not necessary to treat the new year as a time for huge change and completely overhaul your life. It is, however, an opportunity for us to look at how we can develop a balanced, positive and empowering approach to the upcoming year, with a focus on putting our wellbeing first.

A new year is also a clean slate, and it is probably safe to say that we have all started off 2022 hoping for a happier and more emotionally stable year ahead. The question is, how do we do this when it feels as though the past two years have taken its toll on us? Below is a list of practices that can help you build a solid foundation for a happier and more meaningful year ahead.

PRACTICE MINDFULNESS AND GRATITUDE

One way of achieving a peaceful, happy mindset is to look after ourselves by taking care of the space around us. Expressing gratitude towards what we have, as opposed to focusing on what we do not have or what has gone wrong, will refocus our minds and create an attitude of gratitude that will bring about more things to be grateful for.

SET MEANINGFUL, FULFILLING GOALS

Have you ever set a goal for yourself and been on cloud nine once you have achieved it, running to tell your friends and family how chuffed you are with the accomplishment? Well, when you start setting realistic, meaningful goals for yourself you are bound to have a whole new lease on life when you achieve them. Achieving our goals not only makes us feel good about ourselves but also instils a growth mindset in us. Having a growth mindset has been proven to make us more persistent in the face of challenges, quicker to bounce back after failure and more open to feedback. Now, isn’t that a recipe for success in the midst of the turmoil of the last two years? We think so!

REDISCOVER A HOBBY OR INTEREST

As the responsibilities pile up in our lives we tend to let go of the hobbies and interests that make us happy. If you are an avid reader, a sports lover or scrapbook enthusiast, rekindling the love for an old hobby is a fantastic tool to de-stress yourself after a long, taxing day. With so many stressors presenting themselves while we adapt to the ‘new normal’, it is vital for us to have an outlet to blow off some steam and recalibrate our mindsets.

SET ASIDE SOME TIME FOR YOUR LOVED ONES

If there is anything that Covid has taught us, it is how precious our friends and family are. If you want to make sure that the year ahead is fulfilling and enjoyable, one of the sure-fire ways is to set aside time to just enjoy the ones you love. Why not spend some time rekindling the relationships that have fizzled out over the years. You might just find that reconnecting with your loved ones is exactly what you need to get you through the next year.

TAKE A NAP … OR TWO

While the grind culture became popular over recent years, it is toxic and unsustainable. It is also impossibly hard to feel your best when you are exhausted. Plenty of scientific research proves how fundamental sleep is to our overall health. Not only does getting enough quality sleep help you keep extra weight off, but it can reduce some risk factors for heart attacks, strokes and chronic diseases such as diabetes. It also helps you think more clearly. This year, instead of the hustle, take a breath, take a rest and take this year at your own pace.

Kirsty Watermeyer