Lets me begin by saying, “I don’t believe in New Year’s Resolutions”. The notion of them gets lost in cultural pressure, obligation, and ” shoulds”. I’m all for resolving to be the best version of myself by carving out time to create intentions and set goals, but how and when I go about that is possible any day of the year!
That said, if you consider the New Year as a time to look ahead and make changes in your life I have 3 tips to make your transition to health, wellness and overall wellbeing successful and sustainable (anytime) in 2020.
#1. Choose Now. (and now, and now, and now, and now…)
You can choose anything, anytime! Now is the most powerful time to create your life. Not yesterday, not tomorrow. What you receive from being in the present (the now) is the freedom to make a choice one moment and the power to change your mind the next. You can create, tweak and experiment until your last days on Earth.
Release the pressure to “figure it all out” on the last day of the last month of the decade. That’s a lot of pressure! It really is just another day in your life.
2. I Can Do This.
In my highly creative brain and sensitive self, I am easily inspired. And easily overwhelmed! That is until I break down my ideas into actionable steps. (I’ve also learned NOT to act on every idea I have 😉 I suggest that when you are making changes break them down into small steps until you can easily say, “I can do this” and start there!
For example, your resolution may be to “exercise” more – also known as physical activity or movement. So you decide to start running. On second thought, you choose to walk instead because you realize you really don’t like to run.
Then you need to determine how far you will walk. You decide 5 miles which really is a lot since you haven’t walked that far in years. This is where you play the “I can do this” inner game. Ask yourself “how far feels good”? Not how much you “should” walk but how much feels like “I can do this” with ease. It could be 4, 3, 2, 1, 1/2 miles or even a walk to the mailbox and back. Perhaps its just putting on your sneakers with no pressure to even leave the house. One step at a time!
If you find yourself saying something like, “well, that’s a no-brainer!” then you are totally on the right track -for you!
Every action step counts! If you are successful in the action you choose that you CAN DO, it will build self-trust to keep you going.
In our high-pressured, fast-paced, overwhelming and overstimulating world it is worth making a big deal of small steps.
3. Ask Your Body
If health, wellness, and overall wellbeing are part of your resolutions this year its important to ask your body what it wants to feel better? What would it be like to give your body a voice in the areas of physical activity, sleep, nutrition, R&R, spirituality, emotional freedom, healing, any area you want to enhance?
Are you using the culturally common practice of external based motivation – OR – getting out of your head long enough to tune in to your internal inspiration?
Here’s how you know a decision is right for you. When you are making a choice, do you feel contracted or expansive? Do you feel a powerful “NO” or “YES”? Not sure? Try this.
Stand quietly with your arms at your sides. Then ask yourself the question whether it’s about physical fitness, diet or anything for that matter. When you are in acceptance you will feel your body sway backward. When you are in resistance you will lean forward. Try it out by asking yourself a question that you know the answer to be true and another that you know to be false. This is not a thinking process; this is a feeling/sensing process.
Imagine the time, energy, potentially money you can save by integrating the wisdom of your body into New Year’s resolutions, any choices for that matter for the rest of your life?
Do you seek guidance and support in this area and are ready to feel better in your body?
Lisa Medley, MA, CMT believes as we create more love in the body, we create more love in the world. She serves as an Embodiment Mentor and has over 20 years’ experience in the healing arts including a MA in Expressive Therapy, life and wellness coaching, therapeutic massage and bodywork, somatics, energy medicine, and conscious movement & dance. Lisa is energetically sensitive that blesses her with a strong divine connection and challenges her to stay centered in an overwhelming world. She has discovered that honoring body wisdom is the key to sustaining wellbeing and soul evolution with more ease and grace. Learn more http://www.soulisticarts.com