For nearly the entirety of 2020, so many of us have been living in a state of distress. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has placed our plans and goals on hold as we battle with facing our new “normal”. If you’re someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, the emotional roller coaster of it all likely posed another challenge that took a hit to your motivation and fulfilment levels. You’re in a rut— how do you get out?
The vast majority of people tend to use the winter holiday season and New Year’s Day as opportunities to make new resolutions and goals for the year ahead. Cliche as it may be, we’re totally on board with taking advantage of new beginnings. Although there may be less sparkle and pizzazz going into 2021, there’s still no better time to find ways to head into the new year on the right foot. Read on to find out our top eight tips.
Tip #1: Create Goals
Even if you’re not a goal-oriented person, making a list of goals is a great way to set the tone for 2021. Decide on at least three goals and write them down. Keep them succinct and simple. Assess why these priorities are important to you and how your life can be enriched by fulfilling them.
Tip #2: Be Present
With so much constantly going on, it’s easy to find yourself getting caught up in the motions and feel as though you’re watching life pass you by. Rather than floating by, make an effort to be truly present. Put the phone down, take a day off, spend some time with your thoughts. It will help you feel more connected and grounded with the world around you.
Tip #3: Identify The Things You Can Control
Finding little ways to maintain control can act as a helpful coping strategy in a year where so many of us have relinquished the freedoms we once had before the pandemic. Draw up a list of goals or objectives that you can easily achieve. By identifying things that you can control, you focus less on the things you can’t.
This could include:● Reading for 30 minutes a day● Setting a bedtime● Going meatless one or two days a week● Writing letters to loved ones● Starting and finishing work at a set time each day.● Exercising daily
Tip #4: Learn a New Skill
Learning a new skill or taking up a new hobby is an exciting way to begin a new year. This could be something to promote your prospective career development or your own personal development. Whether it’s learning how to cross-country ski or familiarizing yourself with financial planning software, choose something that gets you fired up.
Tip #5: Set Boundaries That Prioritize Your Wellbeing
The last year has seen such a degree of drastic metamorphosis that you have undoubtedly fallen into some bad habits, such as responding to emails from your boss at midnight, snacking all day long, or neglecting your workout routine. A smart way to start the new year is to create new boundaries of both your personal and professional life that allow you to stay on track and stay happy and healthy.
Think about the things that made you feel happy and sad this year– for the things that made you sad, were there ways to avoid those events or feelings from settling in? There is where your brainstormshould begin.
Tip #6: Go to Therapy
If you’ve identified a number of things that made you sad this year but are unsure of ways in which to easily mitigate or mediate them, it may be time to consider going to therapy. Even amid the pandemic, there are ways you can virtually connect with a professional therapist online.
Tip #8: Perform an Act of Kindness Each Day
If you are genuinely committed to starting 2021 off on the right foot, start with tiny acts of kindness. Do your best to commit one act of kindness per day. Those good deeds can go a long way. Whether that means you tipping an essential worker for their hard work, keeping a door open for someone behind you, or giving up your seat on a bus for an elderly passenger, there are countless ways to put your kindness into the world.
Wrapping Up: This Is Your Year
Practice self-love this year. Recognize your achievements and allow yourself to be proud and driven by your victories, even though they’re tiny. Starting 2021 off on the right foot is up to you. Which of these tips are you eager to try? Let us know in the comments below!
