Steps to Make 2024 Your Best Year Yet
New Year, New Me, that’s what they all say, right? Well, for me this year, my resolutions are not falling by the wayside by the second week of January! The expectation to become a completely different person just because its a New Year, without having even thought about the small steps we might need to achieve for this to become real life, is setting us up for a loss. 2023 was the practise year, the trial and error, the training. Life can sometimes get in the way of the goals you set yourself and now, in 2024, we are ready for that cycle to end.
The Tik-Tok trend this season, seems to be what is IN and what is OUT and it seems unattainable resolutions are OUT and small steps to enrich and revolutionise your life in IN.
Prioritise Self Care
Yes, it’s a painfully over-used cliché (!) but making time activities which boost your mental and emotional well-being are the backbone of, dare I say it, living your best life. Whether it is perfecting your night routine and enjoying at home pamper treatments or going for brunch with your friends, these positive emotions you feel are enhancing your general well-being and relationships with yourself and your peers.
Establishing Habits
Each goal we have, we must define the steps we need to take to hit these goals. Whether its exercise, balanced nutrition or getting enough sleep, or learning a different language, everyone needs to have a plan in place to hit these milestones. A great way to do this is through defining these steps and assembling them as habits throughout our every day life. Habit tracking is a simple way to log every time you behave in the desires way, ultimately making the habit more likely to become an automatic part of your routine.
Cultivate Positive Relationships
Lets talk about it, the magic of positive relationships and the incredible impact they have on our mental health. Surrounding ourselves with supportive, uplifting individuals isn’t just about company. Positive relationships provide a cushion to the rollercoaster of life. Sharing experiences, laughter and even challenges with our loved ones become a pillar of strength and vice-versa. Cherish those relationships. To quote Sarah’s Day, “Your Vibe is Your Tribe!”
Practise Gratitude
A tale as old as time… it’s what all the Youtubers are saying, that 5-minute Journal is everywhere, but it really is ringing true. Expressing gratitude can reduce stress, increase optimism and strengthen relationships. One of the most popular, as mentioned earlier, is the daily gratitude journal. One study found that materialism among teens and young adults was significantly lower once they implemented this practice. It was also stated that participants donated 60% more money to charity (Chaplin, Roedder John, Rindfleisch, & Froh, 2019).
Pursue Passion Projects
Passion projects aren’t just creative endeavours, they are the basis of personal growth and fulfilment. Embracing and pursuing these projects allows us to tap into our interests and express our unique selves. Whether it’s a side hustle, hobby or a creative pursuit, passion projects infuse our lives with purpose and enthusiasm. This is your sign to start now!