With 2022 right around the corner, now is the perfect time to step back and reflect on the growth you have made in 2021 while also focusing on what you want to experience in the coming year. It’s a time of reflection, celebration, and traditions that are meaningful to you.
Focus on what you want to experience.
What do you want to feel in 2022? Setting new year intentions that are focused on experiences might be a refreshing change that alters your perspective for the coming year. Maybe you want to feel more connected to family or increased peace in your daily schedule. Getting in touch with your inner self and shaping the new year around desired experiences allows you to craft a year that aligns with what you are passionate about. This method also may feel less restrictive to some, leaving space for goals to change throughout the year as you and your life evolve. On the surface, this may not seem like a tactic for increased productivity and goal-reaching. However, when you are happier and excited about the life you are creating, this spills over into other areas such as work, relationships, and even self-care. You will be achieving goals not because you feel forced or obligated to stick to a resolution, but because they are stepping stones as part of cultivating all of the experiences you outlined as important to you.
On the other hand, if you are someone who thrives off structure and enjoys having more specific goals to focus on throughout the year, outlining how you want to feel and what you want to experience can serve as the first step prior to listing your goals and resolutions. Think of it as brainstorming before creating an outline. You might be surprised to find that certain goals you had in mind don’t align with how you ultimately want to feel or experience life – and that is completely fine! Likewise, this may highlight the importance of a goal you may have otherwise listed and forgotten about a few months in. Regardless, the start of a new year is an excellent time to reflect and act.
Celebrate your accomplishments.
Sometimes we become so caught up in reflecting on what we want, we forget to celebrate our accomplishments. The notion that life is a journey is important because it shifts our mindset to experiencing the entire process; life is happening each and every day and it would be a shame to miss out. Take time at the end of the year to really admire all of the highs and lows you’ve enjoyed and endured. Give yourself credit for every milestone, no matter how small it may seem because it played a role in creating the person you see in the mirror. In addition, even the most seemingly minute moments can be life altering, so it’s interesting to reflect back and see which events shifted your life in one direction or another and celebrate those too! While giving yourself realistic feedback is important, approaching your accomplishments with an attitude of excitement instead of excessive criticism sets a positive tone for the new year. You will feel empowered to love yourself and life, knowing that you are the author of your unique story.
Continue or start traditions that are meaningful to you.
Having traditions that allow you to connect with your culture, family, friends, or even simply your inner self can be a meaningful way to bring in a new year. Traditions may be things you have been doing since you were a child, or novel concepts you started that bring joy and help you feel refreshed. For example, some people go through all their old items and donate what they don’t need. Some cultures eat special foods or wear certain colors to welcome a year of luck and prosperity. For others, gathering with family or friends and exchanging words of encouragement is the center of festivities. Now more than ever, our traditions likely look a little different as we may be unable to celebrate with loved ones. It’s okay to start new traditions as you grow older and find what works for you personally. It truly doesn’t need to be anything specific or grandiose, as long as it holds meaning to you. Little actions in celebration of life and a new chapter can foster feelings of peace and happiness – an excellent mindset to have when entering the new year!
How do you start a new year?
