New Year’s Eve makes many of us nostalgic about the memories we made over the course of the past year. About the long anticipated plans that were made, that were over before we could even grasp the moment of them becoming reality. About the friend – and relationships that ended, and those that we gained. About the ups and downs, that brought us exactly to were we are today.
It also leaves us startled that time has made another year fly by, throwing us seemingly too fast into a new one. Anyone who is like me, overwhelmed by how quickly the new year comes around, and thus, never making New Year’s resolutions in time, might feel vulnerably exposed to all the things that are coming up. Every year, we feel like this is the year we have to absolutely have to achieve everything we’ve ever wanted. And on the 31 of December we realise, that life has taken a completely different path as we had anticipated at the beginning of the year. We forget to focus on ourselves and blame ourselves because our big dream still did not happen.
I myself have been guilty of this and felt like I had achieved nothing of what I wanted at the end of the year – until I sat down and valued the small steps that I took this year that have had a positive impact on my life. 2017 will be your year because you will not only achieve the incredible, but should also concentrate on what you really need to be happy! I have created a list of things that you can do to make this year your year.
1. Begin your days early
The early bird catches the worm! Anyone who loves sleeping as much as I do, might have troubles with this. I used to sleep until the afternoon, until I was sick of feeling like I have wasted the whole day. Set an alarm even on days you don’t necessarily have to get up for school or work. Achievements made during the early hours of the day will seem even bigger just because they happened early. Sounds trivial, but solely the fact that you got up early will make you feel like you’ve achieved the world!
2. Value your nutrition
Sometimes, we might underestimate to what extent our nutrition impacts our mood and overall level of content. Fuelling our body with fresh fruits in the morning and light lunches and dinners will contribute to our brain’s activity to achieve our goals. There are so many ways to enjoy nutritious meals! Self-cooked meals will be important this year. Learning about what helps our bodies exceed to their best ability and independently putting these nutrients together will make you more conscious of what you can do to help it!
3. Find a new sport or continue your favourite type of exercise
This year will be your year to find a sport that you enjoy or continue what you have always loved doing. Doing sports sets free happy hormones in your body that will positively influence many other factors in your life, such as better sleep, a balanced appetite and a better performance and work or school. It is a great way to release excess energy and boost your system with new strength. I have found my love for yoga, which I am aiming to continuously focus on this year. Running, tennis and swimming are also great options and don’t only burn calories, but are also incredibly fun!
4. Take photos
We all know the feeling of anticipating an event, a holiday, or a visit from a friend and before we know it, it has passed by. We live in the moment and enjoy our time for it being, yet days continue to fly by after this event has ended and we sometimes feel like it gets buried under all the things that happen after it. But what greater way to remember our favourite moments and days is there than taking photos? Sometimes we forget to do this, and wish we had done so later. I love printing out my pictures and putting them into photo albums at the end of the year – this way I can always dive back into past days and instantly feel like I am back at this specific point in my life. Collect your moments of 2017 and always keep them close to heart!
5. Stay in touch with your friends and family
Realising that old friendships are fading or not being taken care of is the worst feeling regarding this topic. The effort of staying close to old friends and family might be harder in some cases than others, but you will never regret driving that extra mile or writing that letter that you thought would take up so much of your time . 2017 will be a year of building new friendships, preserving old ones and trying to keep the white flags up with your family members. In times of trouble they will be the ones there for you!
6. Set realistic goals
Sometimes, we get frustrated at the end of the year because we seemingly didn’t achieve what we had anticipated to. Yet we sometimes forget that this goal might have just been out of reach for our current abilities and resources. This year, try to set goals that are realistic to what you already can do and what you will be able to achieve in one year. This way, you will be way prouder of having achieved a series of small goals rather than blaming yourself for not reaching the big one. Great things take time!
7. Don’t look back and take steps forward
For some of us, 2016 might have been a year of positivity and memorable experiences. For some, it has been a year full of challenges, relapses and realisations. No matter of your course this past year, it is important not to get caught up in it. Looking back will slow you down in experiencing new things and grasping new opportunities that may be right in front of you. Experience them with positivity and carefreeness, reflect on yourself and never stop being curious about where the path may take you. Give 2017 a chance to be your best year yet!
In this sense, I wish you positive vibes and a serene, memorable 2017. Remember that a lot of what will happen this year lays in your own hands!
Talk soon,
Joana
Joana Serein 