Are you already reading or hearing the complaints about how people can’t wait for the year to end? You’re not alone. The interesting part is that this seems to happen every year! Why are so many so unhappy with the overall outcome of each year as it draws to a finale?
Limit your time on electronics and social media
Look, we all love our phones and tablets. But more and more scientists are telling us that society is losing touch with… well, staying in touch! Compare the feelings you have from having a meaningful conversation with a loved one with the feelings you get when you “like” or comment on a friend’s post. The “social” in social media doesn’t measure up, does it? Even if you can’t see all of your favourite people in person, take a break from Instagram, Tiktok or other time-consuming online content generators to catch up face-to-face over a video chat.
Practice gratitude
We’ve talked about this before, but it really is one of the best and easiest ways to keep life happy. Look around you daily and indentify the things you are grateful for: your partner, your kids, your extended family, your home, your income, the food in your cupboard — there’s always something to be thankful for in even the most difficult of times or circumstances.
Get your head in the game
While some write off the power of positive thinking, there have been many studies confirming it can improve everything from relationships to work performance to actual physical ailments. What do you have to lose? Putting it in your head that this year is going to be FANTASTIC has no downside, so set your mind to “POSITIVE” and keep it there.
Accept reality
As positive as your outlook and attitude might be, into every life a little negative will fall. That’s just a given. Sometimes it’s even a big negative; that’s how life works. However, keeping control of how you react and respond to the negative is the difference between a mediocre year and a fabulous one. We aren’t suggesting you pretend bad stuff is A-OK, but allow yourself some time to fully work through negative responses and then take control of your mind once again to push yourself to identify the silver linings. They are there, no matter how bad the circumstances, if you look hard enough.
Shake things up!
Commit to trying at least two different activities this year. One physical and one mental/emotional. Add in trying two different kinds of food, and BOOM! Your brain is perking up just thinking about it. Doing the same thing every day is boring and your brain agrees. If we don’t throw new things at our mind regularly, it becomes jaded and disinterested in us and our life and starts to run on a sort of autopilot. That’s not good for anyone, so throwing in a few surprises keeps you, your life and your brain purring, peaked and ready for fun. You also may just find something you love!
Live a healthy lifestyle
Again, something we discuss often here, but it’s so important to so many aspects of your life (even getting reasonable life insurance quotes!) so eat healthy food as much as possible, exercise regularly and sleep at least eight hours every night. Your best year ever will not happen if you are often sick or generally sluggish from an unhealthy lifestyle, we guarantee.
Make a plan
For everything! Plan your day, your week, your month and even your year! Writing your goals down keeps you committed, so decide what you’d like to achieve in this year and write about it. Break the goals into small, achievable steps and put those in your calendar so you don’t lose track. Plan your meals and shop accordingly – it helps with eating healthy! Plan your wardrobe, vacations, date nights, kids’ activities and anything else you can as far in advance as is possible. Scrambling at the last minute doesn’t feel good, but control sure does and planning is a major part of feeling you’ve got life under control. Don’t forget to reward yourself and others for even the smallest achievements! Celebration is underrated and adds to happy memories.
Stay open
Not like a 24-hour coffee shop, but open mentally and emotionally. Practice saying “OK,” “Yes!” or “Let me think about it!” instead of “NO!” all the time. Keeping yourself vulnerable to new people, places, things, feelings, activities and just life in general is the best way to ensure your year turns out to be the best year ever!