Preparing for a new year
Photography by Danielle Ann Rose @bydanielleannrose
I love the ideal of “new year, new me” as much as the next person, but the reality of a new year is typically just people setting high expectations for themselves and the year to come, only to be disappointed when they fall back into the same habits and routines they’ve always done because they didn’t stick to their new year’s resolutions past January
I fully understand the thought process of that too, because the freshness of a new year is so exciting it motivates us to lean into the things we always wanted to do and set big goals because there’s a full 12 months ahead of us to achieve them. However, unless those big goals are broken down into manageable-sized steps, each new week that passes makes those goals feel less and less achievable
My intention isn’t to talk you out of your goals, it’s to bring your awareness to how often people give up when the motivation behind them is solely driven by what time of year it is
If there’s something you want to achieve or create in your life, find your driving forces within yourself and start working towards it immediately, don’t wait around for a new year to start. The sooner you break down your goals into smaller bite-size tasks and get the momentum rolling, you’ll be surprised how much you could have already achieved between now and January first
Motivation is a fleeting feeling, but if you can focus your energy and intention on what you want to achieve and the reason why you want to achieve it then you will always have the discipline and drive to put in the effort and action required to do so
Finding your "why" is crucial for goal setting because it provides the clarity needed to pursue your aspirations. When you understand why you want to achieve a particular goal, it becomes easier to stay focused and committed, especially when faced with obstacles or setbacks. Your "why" is a compass, guiding your actions and decisions towards the desired outcome. Identifying your "why" can also help to align your goals with your values, ensuring that you're pursuing things that are truly important to you
When you have this clarity of vision around your ambitions you no longer require a new year beginning to chase your dreams and set big goals for yourself. However, as we are coming to the end of this year and looking towards the next, let’s discuss how we can best set ourselves up for success in the coming months
If there are ideas you have in mind for your New Year’s resolution, start them now. With the few weeks left of this year, take action, do the things you hope to do in the new year and gain momentum, by the time January is here you will hopefully have found some kind of flow of things, gained a greater understanding of what is required and maybe even let yourself fail a few times, because that is what it will take to stay committed and consistent in the new year too
Do not let setbacks or failures stop you from pursuing your goals. If you slip up or miss a day, it’s okay. Learn from your mistakes, give yourself some grace and keep going. That is how we grow and become better at what we are doing, if you fall, always get back up and do it immediately
Set aside some time to reflect on the year (and/or years) past, and consider all the highs and lows you’ve experienced and what each one may have taught you. Write down all the things you’re grateful for and why to maintain a mindset of growth and abundance, then use that momentum to write down all the things you want to achieve moving forward, not only in the new year but further into your future too. When you do this, you may realise what short-term goals are required to meet your long-term goals which could change what you prioritise day to day during the year ahead
A fun activity you can do to help visualise these goals and achievements is to create a vision board. Creating a vision board allows us to clarify our goals and desires, serving as a constant reminder of what we want to achieve. Seeing our aspirations come to life through images, quotes, and affirmations instils a deep sense of motivation and focus. Which cultivates a positive mindset, fosters self-belief, and encourages proactive actions
Vision boards are not only powerful reminders of what we are working towards, but they also tap into the power of the subconscious mind and the law of attraction helping us to manifest our goals. The subconscious mind cannot determine what is real and what is fake so when we are constantly reminding it of the thing we want to create it believes it is already true and happening, helping us to move closer towards our goals and aspirations unknowingly
You can create vision boards in whatever style feels more enjoyable and effective for you, I love to physically create the boards with my hands, it feels more intentional to me and having a craft activity to do feels fun and creative to me. This style is done by cutting out pictures that feel aligned with what you want to create, gluing them onto a board together, and placing them somewhere in the home that is visible every day. Another style is to create the vision board on your computer or phone and set it as the screen saver, that way you see it every time you look at the screen
Other than big life goals that you work towards over time, consider what activities you want to do or experiences you want to have and put them on the board too. Alternatively, you could create a bucket list and start planning, saving and scheduling them. This is a cool way to make sure you’re living a life full of fun and making quality memories
Next, I recommend decluttering your environment. It feels refreshing to clean and organise your space, especially when entering a new year. Whether it be your car, your home, or your workspace, having a cluttered physical environment can lead to a cluttered mental environment too. The mess around you directly impacts your mental clarity whether it’s obvious or not
This is something to stay mindful of all year round, not just when starting a new year. It might seem small and insignificant in comparison to your goals, but a cluttered environment will impact your ability to stay focused and motivated every day
I want you to aim high and dream big and I encourage you to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, but I also hope that you regularly check in and be honest with yourself about how you’re doing mentally and prioritize your rest and well-being. No external success will matter if you’re not okay on the inside. Please look after yourself and ask for help when you need it
