When the year 2020 became the poster boy for the one we all wanted to forget, we looked forward to a wonderful 2021, cause I mean, it couldn't be any worse right!!? Then 2021 said, "hold my beer" and showed 2020 how it was REALLY done. Many of us are now a little cautious about looking forward to 2022, I mean, no-one likes to be wrong YET again! But CBF is here to help you get your year off to a positive start, cause it all starts with YOU and a little bit of positivity and strong mindset.
Let’s see how far we’ve come.
Reflect on your accomplishments this past year. What have you done well? Take a moment to think about all of the hard work and dedication that went into achieving these successes, then pause for some self-reflection before moving forward into next twelve months goals! If you want to make this task easier for next year, then keep a “gratitude” jar. Start with an empty jar and every day write a note of something(s) that went well that day. Can be as small as “made myself a nice cup of coffee” or “the man I saw on my run gave me encouragement” or “I finally finished my tax return” or “I watched a great episode on Netflix today” or even just “I got out of bed even though I didn’t want to”. At the end of the year you will have a jar of gratitude to reflect your amazing 2022.
Make 2022 the year for fun
The past and future are important, but sometimes we forget that life is happening right now. When you stop to notice your surroundings for a few moments each day this will help keep the good things in focus as well as give yourself time away from worry about everything else going on around us! Being present helps remind ourselves why we're here. Find the joy in what is happening around you each day. Be fully engaged with what you are doing and enjoy it
Practice saying No
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustles of daily life, but take a step back from your hectic schedule for just one moment. We can often find ourselves performing tasks or attending events solely because others expect them, or we think that is what we “should” be doing. Take some time for yourself in the new year to relax and start setting some healthy boundaries with a fresh attitude towards life: one free from guilt for putting your own needs first and start practicing saying “no." You may find yourself destressed and feeling much better after indulging in some time just for you, whether that be trying a new art project, hobby, trying a new activity or just taking some alone time.
Get your Priorities in Order
The best way to make sure you have time for everything is by prioritising your tasks. First, work out what are really important and then go from there - don't worry about the rest of it! Start with those "must do" things in order because if they're not done right away or at all then other more pressing issues may arise before long. After that comes mental health: remember that we also need some down-time every now and again. Also, don’t try and get everything done all at once. Set a goal of just one or two tasks, so you still get that sense of achievement. Anything else that gets done after that is a bonus!
Reach Out
Not everyone has the luxury of spending time with family and friends. The pandemic has made this even more difficult for many people these days. If you have found yourself feeling lonely or lost then reach out and connect with someone in your life you care about, or consider attending a local community event or try online networking. Remember that it's not just ourselves who are feeling alone so make sure we check up on others too who might be doing it tough - they might need more support than ever before during these trying times.
Hold Up, Wait a minute.
Take time to think things through and make decisions before moving forward with your plan of action, especially if it's a big decision or important project. Don’t feel pressured into making any rash decisions. Take your time and make sure you have all the information needed, and if it doesn’t feel right, then don’t do it. It can be easy to get caught up in today’s fast pace and make choices quickly without really be comfortable that it might be the right choice for you. Breathe, sleep on it, whatever it takes. If it’s right, it will be worth the wait.
Stress Less
Make 2022 the year that you work out your right level of stress. When you feel stressed, take deep breaths and write down what helped. It may be as simple as eating, an activity that is meaningful to your life or getting more sleep! Take a few minutes to list all the stressful situations in your life, or just notice when certain situations, conversations or interactions cause you to feel stressed, uncertain, overwhelmed or drained. You can choose to eliminate these stressors from your life, limit them, or find tools to help you manage those situations moving forward.
If you’re looking to make this year your best yet, start with these simple steps and add more as you go! Our tips on ways you can stress less, enjoy more, be present and have fun will hopefully inspire you to take action! What steps can you take to live 2022 in the max? Let us know what goals or resolutions are on your list this year.
