New Year, Same You

The New Year always sparks a renewed interest in changing yourself, and that “this is going to be the year that I … lose weight … find a hobby … read a book a month … meditate daily … only drink on the weekends … or whatever life changing event comes to mind. Why is it the New Year sparks that interest?

Because it’s literally the “new year” or because we just came off a two-week bender of gluttonous feasting? Why not Spring? Spring is the season for rebirth and new life. Or why not your birthday? It’s another trip around the sun too. Most importantly, why do we feel the need to change ourselves? Why is that the focus, instead of focusing on adding goals to better ourselves? I guess it depends on how you look at it. If your New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, then, sure, you’re probably eating healthier and exercising which improves your health and overall wellbeing. But is the resolution out of vanity and a feeling of “if I change the way I look then I will be … (insert feeling here - happy, motivated, etc.)” or does it come from a place of happiness and gratitude? It’s already the second week of 2023, but take a step back and think about what you really want out of yourself this year. Focusing on change will never be fulfilling, but if you focus on enhancing then you will be filled with happiness, gratitude and self love.

For example, if you resolve to find happiness in 2023, what are the steps you’ll take to accomplish that. Most likely, you’re not changing anything about yourself physically, but possibly the way your mind thinks or the actions you take. Make a list of all the things that have made you happy in the past, and then make a separate list of all the things that you believe would make you happy in the future. If you break it down from there into little actions (or goals) that work toward finding that happiness, most likely you will be happy by the end of the year. Let’s break it down further. For example:

Past happiness: being with friends, cooking for family, gardening, running, traveling
Future happiness: retire, travel more, pay off house, be more creative, spend more time with family

In both of these lists there is crossover, so from here, make a list of all the things you can do each month to work toward meeting this list. Being with friends makes you happy, so plan a monthly get together with friends so it’s on your calendar. I hear Pinot’s Palette is fun *wink, wink*! Spending more time with family, plan that vacation you’ve been putting off because you think you don’t have time. Retire…what do you need to retire? Each month have a goal of how much you’ll save toward retirement, and that’s one step closer. People always say there isn’t enough time in the day, and when another year passes we find ourselves perplexed that another year is gone. So, don’t focus on changing yourself, focus on the little changes of your daily life that will enhance the life you’ve already created. Focusing on change insinuates that you are wrong. Focusing on enhancing insinuates you’re already doing great on your journey, you’re simply making it better. And remember, you don’t need to wait until January 1 to resolve to enhance your life, make it work for you. Cheers!

Share    Check out our full Calendar of Events   |   Plan a Paint Night for Home!