Life coach’s tips for surviving the year ahead
DHARA SHAH TELLS MAIA SNOW HOW LAST YEAR AFFECTED US – AND HOW SIMPLE TECHNIQUES CAN MAKE OUR LIVES BETTER
TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT
2020 had a big impact on everyone, and Dhara said that going into the new year, it’s important not to just forget it.
She said: “It’s important to take a moment to reflect on this year going forward into the new year.
“One thing I will say is to really hear yourself, and by that I mean, understand your internal dialogue.
“Take your time to get to know yourself.
“Think about how well you know your friends or family, and ask yourself how well you really know yourself.”
IDENTIFY NEGATIVE SELF-TALK
Not putting yourself down is very important for making the most out of life.
Dhara said: “It will help you to spot any negative thoughts or talk in the future, so you can question yourself.
“This will help you prepare better, so if something doesn’t go quite the way you might expect, you can try do something different, rather than just putting yourself down.”
CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF
Similar to identifying any negative self-talk, Dhara said this is important to keep you happy and healthy.
She said: “It’s important to listen to yourself.
“Stopping and pausing, being mindful of what’s on your mind and how you’re feeling, can help you to turn it around.”
CHALLENGING WHAT YOU ARE TELLING YOURSELF
Dhara said it is important to not just listen to what you are saying about yourself, but making sure you are not letting it get to you.
She said: “If you find yourself thinking something, or saying something about yourself, you need to ask yourself ‘Is there any fact to this?’.
“It’s important to identify whether you have any control over the situation, and if not, not to let it get to you.”
PRACTICE TALKING YOURSELF UP
Sometimes it can be difficult to talk yourself up to people, and can feel quite unnatural. However, Dhara said it is important.
She said: “Taking that time to acknowledge yourself, forgiving yourself and complimenting yourself is so important.
“We’re our worst critics. “People are far too critical of themselves over small things.”
She also said that talking to yourself out loud can be very helpful.
She said: “It might sound cheesy, but talking out loud to yourself can be a good outlet.
“By doing that, you are actually telling yourself positive things and it is helping your subconscious to understand accept those things.”