5 Ways to Start Fresh this Year

While the COVID-19 Pandemic kept most of us at home, I thought I’d share a photo from a previous year showing the festive uniquely Philly celebration called the Mummers Parade.

 At the start of a New Year, we automatically think of fresh starts. After all, there’s an entire year in front of you. Imagine the possibilities!

But isn’t it funny how we obsess so much over making something so big and grand as a year perfect when we could be applying the same energy and enthusiasm to every single day? Think about it. What if you could make the most of today, focusing on the present moment? It’s a heady thought.

Start With Letting Go

You’re never going to get anywhere if you’re listening to the same old messages. Whatever you’re carrying with you, be it past disappointments or failures or even heavier baggage involving old decisions or harmful circumstances, needs to be let go of. This is going to have to be a conscious decision made every day. Letting go means having room for new, better things in your life. That’s why this is so important. Having trouble letting go? Don’t be afraid to talk to someone for additional help if you need to.

What’s Important Today

Big goals are great, but sometimes they make it hard to see what you need to do right now. Today the goal is to focus on what needs doing in the here and now. Start each day with a set idea in mind of where your focus should be right now.

Drop the Distractions

How can you get anything done today if you’re caught in a mire of social media, email, and text messages? Today make the goal to put your attention where it matters most. Try turning off the internet for an hour or two to get some work done if it helps you to focus.

What is Your Happiness

Happiness should not be a someday goal but a daily one. What makes you happy today? If you’re not sure, start with exploring your passion to find it. A little time daily in what matters most is sure to bring both a brand-new smile and all the good feelings blossoming from doing what you love.

Decide Who You Are

Did you know it’s ok to create a fresh new you at the start of every day? This comes from realizing just who you are right now. What does the you of today need most? What benefits you in the here and now? Do what makes sense for you today.

Talk about fresh starts! With every day fresh and unspoiled, waiting for you to create, however you want, the world becomes a rather exciting place. This is magic waiting to happen, with you in control of what happens next. How great is that?

The New Year is here. Are you ready?

There’s an inevitable panic that sets in after the holidays. We’ve been so rushed with shopping, family, and a busy social whirl, is it any surprise we feel unprepared for the year to come? Suddenly everyone is talking about their great grand goals, and you still haven’t quite figured out how to close out the last year.

It’s a good thing starting your New Year right is reasonably straightforward. In fact, using these five tips, you’ll feel prepared in no time.

1. Take a Hard Look Back
   It’s not often where you’re encouraged to stare in the rearview mirror. On the other hand, there comes a time when looking back is absolutely necessary. This is one of those times. Here’s where you want to review your last year. What did you accomplish? What feels unfinished? Where were the improvements? What held you back? What are the regrets you carry? What do you feel especially proud of?
2. Finish Things
   What haven’t you closed out yet? It’s time to clear the decks for the new year. The good news is you might not have to finish everything. Carefully examine these old projects. Are there any things you could delegate? What about projects you really no longer need at all? It’s ok to let go of things that are no longer important.
3. Add in a Dose of Realism
   Look at the goals you made last year. Were they reasonable? What about the things you want to do this coming year? It might be time to scale back into the realm of possibilities. You can start by breaking down the big crazy things into smaller steps you actually can accomplish.
4. What’s Your Focus?
   Look again at your goals. Are they all over the place? Find the common denominator (if there is one). If not, it’s time to figure out what you’re really after. Having substantial focus makes you much more likely to accomplish what you set out to do. Knowing this focus before the year begins is really half the battle.
5. Take Care of You
   This one should go without saying. If you’re not healthy, you’re not going to get anything done at all. Make yourself a priority before the year begins, setting up healthy habits, so you have the energy to do what you need to when the time comes.

If you’ve followed these steps, then you will be the one feeling prepared for the New Year, and it’s the rest of the world who will be looking at your feeling envious at your calm as you enter into your best year ever. Yay you!