“New Year, New Me!”
You’ve probably heard this message over and over again at this time of year. But do you really need to reinvent yourself when you’ve got a lot else going on?
A new year is a great time for reflecting and making plans, but it’s also important not to put too much on your plate at once. You’re likely still recovering from holiday season fun, as well as preparing for a new year at home and at work.
Brene Brown Ph.D., L.M.S.W, a research professor, thought leader on vulnerability, and author of The Gifts of Imperfection, argues that play and rest are critically important to leading a wholehearted life - especially at busy times of year!
Brene describes wholehearted living as “…cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think: ‘no matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough.’”
Here are a few ways to get a bit more of that wholehearted living in your life as we kick off the new year.
Align Your Priorities
Even - and sometimes especially - when we’re feeling happy, it’s easy to say yes to everything. However, this can play havoc with your priorities.
What do you really want out of your life right now? Are you longing to connect with family? Then maybe signing onto an extra work project isn’t the right choice right now. Are you looking to have more time to yourself? Perhaps nights out every weekend with friends isn’t the best idea.
Ultimately, you need to pick what’s most important to you. Saying “no” to some things doesn’t make you a terrible person or a lazy employee - it makes you smart because you are identifying and prioritizing what will move you forward. Don’t be afraid to say no!
Self-Care to the Max
When we’ve got a lot on, some of the basics can fall by the wayside. Make sure that you’re not forgetting some of the foundational self-care tasks. For example, prepare meals in bulk and store or freeze them so that you can continue to eat well throughout the week - even when you’re at your busiest.
On top of that, try to stick to a regular daily schedule, rising and going to bed at the same time each day. This will help you to sleep well, giving you enough energy to take on the busy days ahead.
Aim for Work-Life Balance
You might well have taken some time off during the holiday season, and coming back to work can feel overwhelming after a period away from it. It might feel tempting to throw yourself in head first, but it’s actually more important than ever to set a schedule and stick to it.
It’s okay to have some work priorities, of course, but don’t let them overshadow the rest of your life or your health. At the end of the day, you’re not doing anyone any favors, including your boss or colleagues, if you end up burning out and needing to take time off work.
What do you think about these tips? Are you ready to give yourself permission to create balance, even in this busy season?
I have another resource that will help. Download “5 Steps to Clarity During Life Transitions” for further clarity and focus for the new year!