How can this New Year be a different one?

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How can this New Year be a different one? Do you really want it to change?

Happy New Year to you all. I hope you have a wonderful, healthy and happy year ahead. As the calendar turns over and a new year begins, have you ever thought about how you can make this one different?

Many of us start with a resolution or a new word to embody the year ahead, but is this just a habit that we get into, one that carries no real purpose? Or is it a decision that we make consciously? I gave up making resolutions many years ago as by the time February came around, I had promptly forgotten what I was going to do.

Instead I have been choosing a word each year, to describe how I want the year to unfold, be it one of Freedom, Finding Balance or one of Creativity, to name a few. This year however, I have done neither. They both feel a bit forced to me.

Instead I am thinking about how I want the year to unfold, how I want it to be different from previous years. I want to retain the love of family and friends, the joy of adventure, the closeness to those I love, having laughter and great health. These I have wanted in previous years too. But this year I also want to live a life of my choosing, a life where every day is filled with joy and gratitude.

Now obviously I don’t live in Fairyland and ‘stuff’ happens. Stress, illness, arguments, sadness are all a part of life, as are joy, laughter and love. But what I really want is to make this year, a year of difference, where I consciously choose how I want to live each day. I love my Reflexology clients and my business is an important part of my week, but there is also so much more to my life.

Creativity and Freedom light up my soul and I plan to include more of them into every day. I’m not quite sure how this will play out, but I’m going to have fun exploring. I plan to do more painting, photography and writing. I am also going to do more meditations for Insight Timer (a free app that has thousands of meditations on it) and maybe a course or two.

I also plan to have days just to be in nature, or read a book, days of freedom without any agenda, days of no obligations.

How can this New Year be a different one? What are ‘You’ going to do? Now there is nothing wrong with continuing on as before, with more of the same. However if we never change the way we do things, if we never strive for something else or something new, we never grow.

So how is your year going to be different? Maybe like me, you will include more time for yourself? Maybe you will try some new creative venture? Maybe you will travel more or write or draw or learn a new language? Maybe you will take up yoga or meditation?

There is no right or wrong. Just do what lights you up and brings you joy and a sense of fulfillment. If you want to make a New Year’s resolution or choose a word then please do so. What is right for one person is not necessarily right for another.

But whatever you choose to do and however you want this new year to pan out, make sure it brings you happiness and a sense of purpose.

Wishing you all a wonderful twelve months ahead.

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

PS PS. If you would like to start the New Year by living a life of your choosing, my book, ‘True Essence: Finding your authentic self without compromise” is still available. Signed copies can be ordered here or through Amazon here.

If you would like to listen to my meditation on Insight Timer, you can do so here https://insighttimer.com/judynewbery/guided-meditations/breathe-in-the-breath-of-life

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

References: Phot by Debra Manny Mosley on Unsplash

Can you find Peace this Christmas time?

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Can you find peace this Christmas time when all around you seems to be in turmoil? People are feeling stressed, financial worries are rampant and the world no longer seems to be such a safe place. How then can you find peace amongst all this chaos?

As we inch closer to Christmas, our busy lives seem to have moved up another notch. What was already a busy existence now seems to be one running on steroids. Deadlines are getting closer, work needs to be finished before the holidays, the roads are in gridlock and already busy stores are now full to capacity.

We seem to have so much on our ‘to do’ lists that it’s very easy to arrive on Christmas Day feeling burnt out and exhausted. But this doesn’t need to be the case. I believe that it is possible to put some ease into your life, to find some peace, even on the busiest of days.

Have a look at your life and make a decision on what is essential and what can really wait until January. Not everything needs to be completed now. Keep things simple. If you have presents to buy, look online or locally. Avoiding the busy shopping centres. So much can be bought in your local neighbourhood or online, so it’s delivered to your front door. Also don’t accept every single social engagement. Your family and friends won’t disappear on the first of January. You can still catch up in the New Year.

You don’t need to buy extravagant presents. Christmas has become very commercial however, its’ essence is not about gifts but about connection. Being with family and friends, the ones who mean the most to you, are all that really matters. Sharing food, laughter and love are what makes Christmas truly special.

Take time out each day to find some quiet moments. Even if it’s just sitting in the garden with a cup of tea or going for a short walk in nature, find some time to switch off and relax.

Can you find peace this Christmas time? Start by avoiding the news. Yes it’s important to be aware of what’s going on in the world, but we can check the headlines on our phones. We don’t need to be constantly reminded of war and fighting and hate, or see visual examples of this. Constant exposure only brings up fear, anxiety and worry. We don’t need that in our lives.

Don’t try and make everything perfect. As a perfectionist in the past, I used to make sure that I had the best ornaments and the biggest tree. The house needed to be decorated beautifully and the table set with matching everything. Now I don’t worry so much. I am grateful for the family that I have to celebrate Christmas with and I treasure these moments together. Yes it’s lovely to give and receive gifts, but don’t get too anxious about what to buy everyone. A small token of your love is enough.

Ultimately remember what Christmas is all about. To me, it’s about family. Sharing time with those we love, family or friends. It’s about finding peace in our lives, even with those we don’t necessarily agree with. It’s about taking time our from our busy lives, from judgment or criticism of others to finding common ground.

Though Christmas can be a lonely time for so many, it can also be a time of reflection, to think about the past year and what lessons can be learned from it.

Can you find peace this Christmas time? I truly hope so, for I believe that peace resides within all of us. We only need to look within our heart and find the love, compassion and kindness that exists there then send this out to all the world.

Wishing you all a peaceful and very Happy Christmas,

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxxx

Ps. If looking for a Christmas present, my book, “True Essence: Finding your authentic self without compromise,” is available. 

You can buy a signed copy here
Or on Amazon here.

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

References: Image by Amy from Pixabay