Get Ready to Refresh
Do you ever wish you can press ‘re-set” on something, like hitting “control / alt/ delete” on your computer to refresh something that’s gotten tangled? I do, and we’re about to come upon one of the most natural times of year to consider where to press that re-set button. Naturally it’s January 1, 2019. New Year, new page, fresh start. Of course we can hit “refresh” any day, any hour, but January 1 is a time to do the greatest inventory of what’s working and what deserves consideration of “how can I make this work better for my life?”
There are some very common “New Year’s resolutions” that might jump to your mind without much difficulty. It’s very common for people to say, “exercise more, eat less sugar, quit smoking, or clean out the basement.” These are great ideas and may be the direction for you, or maybe the right direction for you is something entirely different. Take some time to reflect on what you want, why you want it, and how it will boost your quality of life. Dig beneath the surface of what comes to mind quickly and look for ideas that carry the greatest impact for your wellbeing.
Think about what’s important to you, and I mean “you” in the italicized, bold-faced, underlined sense. Perhaps it’s been a while since you’ve thought about that. Maybe it will be the first time. We all have ideas about that way we’re supposed to live which stem from external influences like our parent, then our social culture. These priorities might be spot-on, or maybe they feel a little off; possibly creating mild dissonance or stress as we pursue them. Quiet the mind to listen to your heart. Hopefully only minor tweaking is necessary, and you may feel a surge of good energy freeing yourself from trying to live your life according to someone else’s values. They’re probably perfectly good ideas, they just might not be yours. Most likely the distinction between what’s prescribed and what it closer to your heart is fairly subtle, so take care to sharpen your focus on that which is true for you.
Coming back to the practical from the philosophical, consider pressing the “refresh” button in each of the 6 dimensions of wellbeing. The above paragraph is all about spiritual wellbeing; aligning your actions with your values. Consider also your physical, emotional, occupational, intellectual and social wellbeing. Is there something you could do, again that’s important truly to you and not a familial or cultural ideal, to improve the quality of life for yourself in each of these areas? This is comprehensive wellness. It’s not just about getting to the gym, it’s also about emotional regulation, paid or volunteer work that is rewarding, learning new things, and cultivating meaningful relationships.
Every year I plant my flag in the “New Year’s resolutions” camp. I believe in them. Make them. When you break them, make them again. They are not nullified because of a slip up. Be compassionate with yourself, be honest about what you want. Think about continual progress towards what you want in life. The path is not linear or free of stumbling blocks, but it’s your path to be on. Reflect on what you want, and then head in that direction. One step at a time. See you out there.