As a high school graduation gift, I was given a book by Dr. Seuss, “Oh the Places You’ll Go.” The significance of that book now, has very different meaning to me than it did then, when I received it 30 years ago. Thirty years ago, I had no idea what life possibilities there were as a young 18 year old girl. My perspective now is so much more comprehensive.
As we draw near the end of the year, it can be a time to reflect on the past. As we reflect on the past year, we may wish or hope for different things and it is this hope that helps to propel us into change - wanting more, wanting different. It is healthy to have dreams and desires because that is what motivates us to do and be better, improving our quality of life. Learning how to parse out our goals and dreams helps us become more self-confident and independent so that we may achieve the things we want. Learning to how rely on ourselves to achieve these things builds confidence that will be there for us to draw on always.
First, review your year and look at how you’ve spent your time in the past. Pay attention as you pause and reflect. What are your thoughts about how you’ve spent this time? Write these thoughts down, all of them. Open your calendar and continue making notes on how you’ve spent your time. Again, write down all your thoughts, the “positive” and the “negative.” What trends do you see? What would you like to see more of less of? Now evaluate the time that’s not on your calendar and think about your time scrolling on social media, exercise, hobbies, the things that may not be on your calendar.
What do you love? What do you not love? What would you cut out of your life? What are “negative” things that you want to keep?
Second, evaluate how you’ve spent your time with these categories in mind: Routine, family, friends, health, gratitude, career, love, hobbies, spirituality, money, purpose and any other category that fits for you.
What do you want to be different? Spend some timing thinking about this. Coming to a place of clarity will help you know what it is you’re aiming for. When you are able to clearly see what you desire, there will inevitably be a gap in where you are and where you want to be and what we want. This is normal! You may feel yourself getting a little anxious about this gap, but really stay engaged with your thoughts and what you’re feeling about this open space. Are there old habits that are keeping you stuck? Is there an underlying fear? Are there emotional habits and patterns that keep you from moving forward? Evaluate what is keeping you stuck and what your first steps are in moving in the direction of what you want most.
Third, make a plan and start making some decisions. If you begin to feel anxious again, go back to the second step and spend more time with that anxiety. Why are you anxious? What are your fears and are they reasonable?
As I mentioned in my previous blog post, making decisions is where all of our power lies. Learning to make decisions and staying true to our desires will get us closer to our dreams and desires for the upcoming year.
Happy New Year! Wishing you and your family a year of peace, fulfillment and joy with good health and love.
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