MAKE IT THE YEAR OF YOU!
Small but impor tant changes to your life really can clear away the emotional cobwebs – so what are you waiting for?
Feeling guilty because you broke all your New Year resolutions, ditched your promised daily walk, and never made it past a week of Dr y Januar y? If you’re finding it hard to keep a positive mindset, it’s never too late for a fresh star t.
And there’s no need for a song and dance about it, or making a big announcement to the world like many of us do when proclaiming those New Year resolutions. Making changes to your life can be as simple as adopting that classic Gone With The Wind line, “Tomorrow Is Another Day”, as each new day really can be a chance to wipe the slate clean and make a fresh star t.
Moving home, going through a divorce, star ting a new job, embarking on a new relationship, or looking to the future as your kids’ leave home… whatever the catalyst for change, it can bring a future full of possibilities and new challenges.
Whatever your reason for change – and scar y as it can seem sometimes, especially if it’s thrust upon us – life’s twists and turns can present you with a chance to break out of your usual routine, or rut if that’s how you feel, and make a star t on doing things differently.
On a small scale, during lockdown, I set myself a challenge to find and tr y new walks and footpaths and headed off in different directions for my daily walks. I’m lucky enough to live near open countr yside, but deliberately shook up my routine as it was one of the small changes I could make at that time when so much of life seemed restricted. And funnily enough, doing this meant I bumped – socially distanced bump! – into a couple of friends I’d not seen in ages who were also exploring a new route, so we stopped for a chat.
Change doesn’t have to mean big life changes; it can be as simple as setting yourself one small challenge a day. Whether that’s to call a friend you haven’t chatted to for a while, or to get out for that daily walk, or simply make time to spend painting, getting creative or learn a new skill… just do it!