by Ritu Riyat, Mindfulness Coach, @RituRiyat
Over the last few years I’ve used December as my hibernation month. Since all of nature was beginning to turn inwards it made sense that I should also.
I was also tired of starting the year off “tired”and falling off my “resolutions” a week into January (more on resolutions in a later article).
I wanted to step into a new year clear, calm and in control. Who doesn’t, right?
So I started reframing the months and days leading up to the ball drop.
Rather than scribbling down some last minute goals before the clock struck midnight. I developed a more mindful approach to step into the new year.
Here are my 5 Mindful tips designed to help you tackle 2015 with grace, ease, and power!
1. Meditate: Take 5-10 minutes in the morning/evening to strengthen the brain by focusing on the breath. Not sure where to start? I have an intro to meditation audio just for you. Remember the key is consistency not quantity. Spending 30 minutes once a week isn’t as effective as 5 minutes 7 days a week. This will leave you feeling clear and in control.
2. Journal: Start each journal entry by completing this sentence, “2015 the year I _______!” And then write down whatever comes to your mind. This a free form writing exercise, it doesn’t have to make sense and there are no limitations. Often times we stifle our deepest desires and goal because we’re afraid. Unleashing these will leave you feeling powerful.
3. Share who you will be in 2015: We are a “DOING” society, and define ourselves by what we do. I want to know who you will BE in 2015. For example: I will be committed, kind, confident, etc. Write this down then say it out loud to yourself by using the sentence “In 2015 I will be _____”, you may even decide to start BEING that now vs. waiting. Being a certain means our actions then have to match that way of being and naturally what you DO will also shift.
4. Commit to your health (seriously): Increase your fruit/vegetable intake, drink more water, and get back into the gym. I know, I know, there’s no time. You have to make time because this is important. We store a lot of emotion and leftover “stuff” in our bodies. When we nourish ourselves and move, this “stuff” is released leaving us feeling and looking better. Leave 2014 in 2014.
5. Say “No”: There’s a lot going on this month and you will get invitations for dinners, parties, and events that you may have no interest in attending but somehow get convinced to go anyway. Not only is this a waste of YOUR time it can also leave resentment for the person that invited you. Be honest with yourself and those around you. I’ll reemphasize the honesty part, you don’t want to make excuses for why you can’t attend, simply say “I appreciate the invitation but I’d rather not go.” Or something along those lines. If you are honest they will understand.
So there you have it folks! I’m looking forward to the year to come for me and you!
Do you have other tips to for stepping into the New Year with grace, ease, and power? I’d love to hear your thoughts post to comments.
Ritu Riyat is an applied yoga and mindfulness expert. She is the creator of The 21 Day Stress Detox and a Huffington Post contributor. She equips her clients with tools to reconnect with their bodies, eliminate stress, and make more informed decisions about their health and well being. Sign up to get a free “Press Pause” audio meditation to add a dose of mindfulness to your well being journey in less than five minutes.