January 2021 Newsletter | Mindfully Entering the New Year
As we set our sights on a new year, different thoughts and emotions may arise. 2020 has been an anomaly and many of us may find this New Year to be no different. As mentioned in our December newsletter article, “Coping with the Strain of the Holidays,” you can celebrate the holidays in a new and creative way.
One common New Year’s tradition is to set a resolution to do something differently in the new year. If you are feeling uncertain of what the new year will bring, it may feel overwhelming to commit to a resolution for the future. Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present, aware of one’s self, and what we are doing. Mindfulness can be beneficial in reducing stress and anxiety, while increasing self-awareness, insight, and focus. A mindful alternative to making a resolution is to hold this moment and observe what you need for your present self. Instead of promising yourself to do something in the future, you are capable of embracing who you are and what you need at this moment.
There are several mindful powerful steps you can take daily:
Drink your morning coffee (or tea), and I mean really take the time to smell the coffee beans, taste the bitter or sweet flavor on your lips, and feel the warmth of the mug in your hands. Maybe the fresh steam hits your cheeks or fogs up your eyeglasses.
At your next walk whether to the store, walking your dog, or throwing out the garbage, notice how the air feels on your face. What do you see that is around you? What do you hear and smell?
Reflect on what you learned this year, in what ways did you grow? And what are other ways you can continue to grow and strengthen?
Set an intention for yourself. Ask yourself:
What do I want to embody?
How do I want to feel?
What do I want to show to the universe? To my community? To myself?
Choose a word to focus your attention on for 2021. This is a powerful action. This word can encapsulate an attitude, a feeling, a behavior that you want to hold onto for the year. Your mantra. Some words for inspiration are: trust, courage, adaptable, gratitude, respect, inspiration, confidence, align, explore, journey, balance, kind, dance, sing, laugh, etc.
Create a vision board. Bring out the paper, pens, or get creative with markers, magazine cut-outs, and pictures. Visualize how you want this year to be, and it will be amazing to see it in front of you. (This can also be a nice stress reliever).
And as you reflect, be kind to yourself. There is no right or wrong way to enter the new year. Everyone’s experience is unique and ever shifting. Hold this word close to your heart: Respect. Remember that you have adapted to all that has happened this year. You really did! And respect yourself for the strength that is within you.
If you are having trouble thinking of ways to mindfully tune into 2021, feel free to reach out to your City Center Psychotherapy therapist. We are available to help brainstorm and create a plan together!