Renewing with Ease and Intention
The new year brings about a call to action for many. Setting self-improvement goals is motivating, refreshing, and may feel necessary, especially if they are in support of your mental or physical health. While the new year feels like a great opportunity, it’s vulnerable to turn overwhelming. It could be overstimulating to plan for how to get to a goal and even more challenging to maintain practices toward meeting it. This makes it crucial to set goals with ease and intention to create a positive, sustainable, and personal self-improvement experience.
Some important factors to consider at the new year pivot point:
Seasons
The new year has traditionally been seen as the time for transformation and newness; whereas, nature finds its transformation and newness a few months later at the turn of spring. So, if you’re feeling an energy deficit to get moving on goals, keep in mind your connection to the natural world. The days are still darker and shorter. Animal bodies are still restoring and preparing for awakening. Give permission to acts of preparation rather than immediate activation. January and February may work better for you as months to research, gather materials, and plan for your resolution.
Personal Values
A key aspect of goal or task dedication is it being worth something. “What’s your why?” It’s helpful to take time and reflect on the inspiration for goals and their deeper meaning. Try some journaling with this to increase attention and connection to the goal. Even just bullet pointing personal values works.
Realistic Expectations
One person’s goal and growth pathway will not be the exact same as another. Check in. See what steps and plans for the new year make sense for your schedule, physical state, mental experience, and resources. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Success is more likely to be had with self-compassion, small steps, and supportive structure.
Vision
The first step to accomplishing anything is believing that you can. Without taking time to see yourself taking part in each step of a goal and as the renewed version of yourself, the process may feel cloudy. Part of being intentional is about seeing and believing so that you can mindfully choose the actions and thought processes you’ll need to get where you want to be.
Utilizing the new year as a time for positive change is admirable. Renewal offers variation in life experience which is supportive of growth. Just as well, renewal takes time and intention, and it looks different for everyone. Easy. Make the process your own. See yourself at every step.