Time to re-set!
For so many of us, we have a short few days to prepare for the ‘BIG DAY’ and after the 25th, we tidy up, rest if we can, connect with friends and then begin to prepare for the return to the fast-paced day-to-day joy of work and life.
During this holiday, it is the right time to reset….here are a few things to take into consideration.
First things first, take inventory of your life.
HERE'S HOW IT GOES:
1. Write down a list of things, people, activities, etc. that GAVE you energy in this past season.
2. Write down a list of things, people, activities, etc. that DRAINED your energy in this past season.
3. Take a look at those lists & take a mini-inventory of your life and where your time/energy is *actually* going... make more time for the things that GAVE you energy and minimize the things that drain your energy!
This simple exercise allows you to take a mini audit of your life, time, and energy in the present moment. (have you had the opportunity to reflect on where your energy is actually going? Can you squeeze out a few minutes and reflect on that aspect of your life?)
SOME THINGS TO REFLECT ON:
How did I *actually* spend my time last year?
Was that time aligned with my priorities?
Where is my energy going? (And is it primarily on things that uplift me or that deflate me?)
Any specific area of my life that I can adjust? Upgrade? Prioritize? Spend less time? More time?
It seems simple, right? But it can be so. dang. clarifying. to WRITE OUT and truly reflect on what *actually* gives you energy (...and what doesn't). Doing this exercise seasonally can be a reminder to BREAK OUT of that "autopilot" mode us humans so often find ourselves in & instead *reconnect* with the things that make us feel present, calm, and aligned.
Here are a few ideas to reset your MIND and be prepared for this upcoming year:
do a quick closet purge: with the changing in seasons comes a changing of your closet needs! This can be a great opportunity to organize your closet in a way that makes all your clothes easy to find & maintain. It may not sound like “self-care,” but it will FEEL like self-care when it’s all said and done (see https://konmari.com)
clean out your fridge: similar to above, take a chance to CLEAN OUT and have a fresh, blank slate for your fridge. Get rid of expired condiments, clean out the drawers, get organizational bins. A clear fridge will allow you to fill it up with intention! Clean that structure and put the items back in that will serve you.
meditate daily: Take the newness of the New Year as a chance to start a new meditation habit. If you want to meditate more but don’t know where to start, struggle to stay consistent, perhaps try an ap. Having trouble sleeping? I highly recommend https://www.wikisleeppodcast.com… brilliant! Just brilliant!
read more: go to the library, grab your kindle, or (I am currently in Victoria British Columbia, and there seems to be a book library on every corner. Pick out a book that you’ve been dying to start — then take a long bath, relax, & start reading!
learn a new hobby: is it time to learn how to snowshoe? Give it a try!
organize for a sense of clarity & calm: this one is a bit more general, but you can apply it to however YOU need. Perhaps deep clean your car, buy organizational bins for your pantry, tidy up your bathroom drawer. However you do it, I recommend going through your home and organizing to start the season with a clear, organized energy!
use a habit tracking system to stay diligent on your health goals: with a new season can come a desire for new goals, habits, and rituals. While this is beautiful, it can be HARD to start new habits and stay consistent. Try to create a process that will work for you that will track your habits.
change up your technology habits: while technology can be a great source of inspiration, connection, and creativity… there CAN also be too much of a good thing. Below are some ideas to help improve your relationship with technology:
not checking your phone first thing in the morning
utilizing airplane mode for focused work
setting screen time limits
and just some HONEST reflection— where in your relationship with technology are you wanting to limit, modify, or tweak? any area where you are wasting time? What types of screen time uplift you? and what types drain you? Where could you implement better boundaries?
Ideas to reset your BODY for this year:
eat seasonally: nature doesn’t make mistakes. There are so many advantages to eating WITH the seasons— a perfectly ripe berry in summer, a delicious, cozy squash in fall, the hearty, grounding potato of winter… nature makes these foods at a particular time for a REASON. Instead of eating the same small group of fruits and vegetables year-round, seasonal eating encourages a varied diet. Not only can eating seasonally feel somewhat instinctual, it is often…
1) MORE DELICIOUS: we ALL know the difference between a perfectly in-season piece of fruit and an off-season piece of fruit. Eating seasonally is a wonderful way to have DELICIOUS nature treats!
2) MORE SUSTAINABLE: doesn’t need to ship as far, easier to grow, doesn’t require as many supplemental waters, pesticides, lights/electric to make it grow in off-season, etc.
3) MORE AFFORDABLE: when there is an abundance of certain produce in season, the cost of the produce will go down.
4) MORE NUTRITIOUS. Foods eaten in season are often healthier for us— some anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C, folate and carotenes can decrease rapidly when stored. by eating fresh, you are getting the PEAK of these nutrients and allows you to have a varied intake of vitamins and minerals by switching up your “normal” fruits and veggies
embrace the natural rhythms of day/light and sleep: it’s no secret that the light and time switches with each season— allow yourself to ease into these changes, being mindful of how each season may impact your sleep. The dark, short days of winter— the long, bright days of summer. Be mindful of these changes and bring an awareness to how your sleep schedule may change with nature’s day/night cycle.
embrace seasonal activities for physical activities: The BMO https://bmovanmarathon.ca is coming up soon..consider setting a goal such as a 10 km/1/2 marathon or marathon, hike, adventure (you get the idea)..set a schedule and work towards the goal!
take this as a chance to change up your work out regimen! are you happy with your current work out set up? perhaps you want to try yoga, walk more, implement some more strength training… take this seasonal “fresh start” as a chance to mix things up if you want!
get outside in some way every day: Alfred Wainwright once said, “There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”. Whether you need to bundle up in winter, dress lightly in summer, have rain gear in spring— find some chunk of time to get outside most days! If you dress for it, 97% of the time, it’s a GREAT idea to get outside! Nature is soooo healing & grounding & I firmly believe experiencing each season out in nature can help you feel more present to nature’s cycles.
set a health intention for this season.
how do *you* want to take care of yourself this season? be specific! setting aside a moment at the beginning of the week to pause, plan, & prepare sets us up for success. when we start our season with a purpose, we are much more likely to follow through.
so, let's do it right now! how about we take this moment to set 1-3 health goals for this season.
…and i want you to get much more granular than just "i will be healthy this season". HOW will you "be healthy"? WHAT specifically will you do? For how long? How often? progress often comes from being CRYSTAL CLEAR on what you are actually working at!
SOUL reset for each season
set boundaries: develop an awareness of who and what is taxing your system. Healthy boundaries provide you with a sense of control over your emotional and physical space and time. Be reflective or work to develop awareness of what gives and takes away from your own well-being and development.
make a seasonal playlist: MUSIC. I don’t know about you, but my taste in music often shifts along with the seasons! Listen to the music that fills you up!
decorate your home seasonally: now, honestly, I’m not huge on this (just because I don’t like having extra STUFF), but I know some people really enjoying decorating their home with seasonal decor, colors, fabrics, etc. It’s January; start fresh with a clean and tidy slate.
host a dinner party: going off of the seasonal recipe recommendation above, take it up a notch and host a seasonal dinner party! How FUN. As this is not a strength of mine (I am often curious about that hot square thing in the kitchen…) know that there are plenty of options for having someone prepare much of the dinner..or how about a potluck?
Rearrange your furniture and switch it up: This is by no means necessary, but I swear nothing is more re-engerizing than changing up your space.
write a seasonal bucket list: I LOVE THIS. At the beginning of this year, write a list of 5-10 things you’d love to try. It could be small things (like doing a specific hike, having a special meal, etc.) OR it could be bigger (doing a certain activity, a vacation, learning a hobby, etc.). By taking a few minutes to make a “bucket list” of your intentions, you set yourself up for actually doing those things!
journal regularly (i included some writing prompts below!): Journalling is one of the most impactful activities for self-care, mental health, and self-awareness. The fresh start of a new season could be a perfect time to kickstart a journaling habit.
do a social media detox: While apps & social media can be a positive thing, it can also drain a lot of time and energy from us. If you find yourself mindlessly scrolling frequently, it might be very grounding and a beautiful ‘reset” to take a few days away. Simply log out, delete the app off your phone, set really strict screen time limits, etc. and RECONNECT to a life without constant scrolling!
use the power of scent: This one is simple, but such a great way to infuse the magic of the season into your home environment. Diffuse some seasonal essential oils and fill your space with scents that make you feel centered & at ease.
Journal prompts for the New Year:
grab your pen & paper and finish these sentences... (There is only one tiny rule— don’t think too hard! Simply listen to your gut & honor the first thing that comes to mind)
1️AT THIS TIME TONIGHT/TODAY/THIS MORNING I FEEL...
2️AM I OKAY WITH HOW I FEEL? WHY OR WHY NOT?
3️ONE THING THAT WENT WELL THIS PAST YEAR WAS...
4️ONE THING I CAN WORK TO IMPROVE THIS YEAR IS...
5️THIS YEAR, ONE THING I AM NEEDING MORE OF IN MY LIFE IS…
6️THIS YEAR, ONE THING I AM NEEDING LESS OF IN MY LIFE IS...
7️I AM PROUD OF MYSELF FOR…
8️3 THINGS I AM GRATEFUL FOR IN THIS PAST YEAR ARE...
9️3 THINGS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR ARE…
It’s a new day and a New Year..tread carefully....