The start of another new year always feels like we get a clean slate to “start over” or make changes we have been putting off. Everyone runs to the gym, diet product sales increase, people set “New Year’s Resolutions” that they rarely keep. I gave up on setting Jan 1 as a date I was going to change a habit a long time ago. I learned that if the window of opportunity opens to make a change, I should start it then! I encourage my clients to do the same.
Even though it feels like we get a clean slate, we don’t. So, setting aside resolutions, I like to look at the start of a new year (or the end of a year) as a time to take an inventory of where my life is. I examine all aspects of my life: my career path/goals, the quality of my marriage, how I’m maintaining (or why I am) friends and family relationships, and most importantly, how I am caring for myself. If any of these things feels out of balance, I try to attend to them to them. I look at is as my yearly tune-up. The years really do seem to start moving faster as I get older, so sometimes the yearly tune-up seems like it came on fast. This year, I know what aspects of my life need a tune-up and I’m going to address them. Some things I plan to take care of are much easier than others – that’s just part of life. Other things I’m planning will need the support of at least my husband and probably some friends to help make happen – so I guess I’ll be summoning them for support!
How do you view the passing of another year – does it mean something significant for you? Do you have any life rituals you participate in? Anything you feel needs a tune-up in your life? I’d love to hear about it.
” The difference between who you are and who you want to be … is what you do.”
