As the old gives way to the new…..
New beginnings are always exciting – the promise of something better, or different.
For many, this past year has been one of extremes – and one of many changes. For my part, I’m moving into 2015 with a whole different approach. With my Sydney house rented out and my campervan packed, a new adventure is about to begin. Lots of changes, lots of new experiences – it’s very exciting, but change is change and it can be daunting. I’ll be writing a blog as I go (No Fixed Abode). I would love you to join me on the way.
A year happily behind us, or a year from which to learn?
Maybe both. It’s been a tough year for many, and managing the stress and anxiety in difficult times means some major adjustments. The following may be a helpful reminder (all things that we talk about in “The Centre Within” course, but always good to hear again).
I don’t need to remind you of the negative feelings that come with adjusting to the stress of major change – many of you know them all too well. What’s important is having some tools to call on to help us through the rough patches.
All of us may go through these adjustments but at varying rates. Not sitting in judgement on others (and ourselves) is essential – this can bring another set of stressful effects we can well do without, and sitting in judgement is a sure-fire way to bring down our self esteem!
Some important things to remember, to maintain healthy well-being in stressful times include:
- eating well, good nutrition
- daily exercise
- adequate sleep
- time spent with family and loved ones
- time spent for yourself
- talking to someone with a willing ear
- reminding yourself of the positives in life
- taking note of how much time is spent listening to and looking at mass media
- recalling difficult times and reminding yourself how well you coped
- recalling other people’s tough times and how well they coped
- remembering that ‘what you do’ does not define you as a person
- being kind and patient with others (and yourself)
- when you’re feeling ‘out of control’, setting small achievable goals (very effective in building your Self Esteem)
- keeping that sense of humour – making sure you find things to laugh at, every day
You may be aware of most of these, but it can be helpful to be reminded every so often.
That’s quite a list. Pick any or all of the above that resonate with you. After all, what’s important here is what works for you. And if all of this doesn’t apply to you right now, it may in the future – worth tucking away for later.
These are all things that are excellent for our well-being, and for building our resilience for the future – and these work for our kids as well.
And what can we look forward to in the year that lies ahead?
Many happy times, with laughter and adventures that make for wonderful memories.
Sounds like a great year!
We know life will throw us some lessons in the year ahead – many things that we can work through and take control of, and some over which we will have no control at all.
“The time and energy spent on things over which we have no control can be huge. On one level we know it’s wasted effort, but letting go of this behaviour is not always easy. The problem here is that focussing on worry, or fear that something may happen in the future, living with the “what if”s etc. can stop us from having Peace of Mind.”
If this is familiar territory, some suggestions:
- review the past year’s events, congratulate yourself for the jobs well done and the things you achieved
- recall the good times enjoyed with family and friends
- remind yourself that wherever you are at the moment, this will change (“good” and “bad”).
Savour the happy times but don’t dwell on the not-so-good ones (‘this too will pass’)
Set your goals for the year – personal goals, goals with your spouse/partner, goals for the family and goals for the business
Not everything will go to plan, but you will achieve more when you have a plan or goals to work on. No goals set means reacting to what happens in life, rather than deciding the path you want your life to take (and yes, there will be surprises!).
- you decide the attitude you are going to have for the coming day/week/month/year (no matter what happens, it all comes back to how you handle it!!!)
- keep your goals in mind – write them down where you can see them as you come and go each day
- talk about the things you plan to achieve in the coming year (this way you will change your
daily negative self-talk)
You may have noticed we are faced with more and more change these days. Some people view change positively and see it as an exciting opportunity to learn and grow. Others see change as fearful and something to avoid.
We are being challenged more often and that means changing our attitude and the way things are done. How we handle what happens in life is entirely up to us – every day, every week, every month.
Here’s to an exciting year ahead. May it be filled with wonderful opportunities to learn and grow, with precious times spent with family and friends, filled with, of course……
Love and Laughter,
