Making New Year's Resolutions Work through Introspection and Spirit Connection

By Sky Handke

Every beginning of the year gives us the motivation to start fresh, make changes, and move forward. We make a list of New Year's resolutions, sometimes in our minds, sometimes in our journals and sometimes we even hang the list on our fridge. We share our resolutions with our friends and loved ones, hoping for accountability and support. The most popular New Year's resolutions I've heard: quit smoking, start yoga, go to the gym, start meditating, learn another language, eat healthier, spend more time with friends and loved ones, drink less caffeine, less alcohol.....

With all these worthy resolutions, why is it so hard to follow through?

When we make our New Year's resolutions we usually make them in our heads. More often than not, the left side of our brain is used, which is the thinker, the ego, analyzer and planner. Our resolutions are based on what we think we should do and who we think we should be to be accepted, loved and included. But our mind is just one part of our being. There is a need to involve our spirit and our body in these decisions as well. It's just as if the CEO of a company made important changes to the company and decided not to involve the employees or make sure the changes are aligned with the company's structure. The changes are bound to fail.

So how CAN we successfully integrate New Year's resolutions into our lives? First, I invite you to let go of the term "New Year's resolutions". It has a negative stigma to it; feeling like something we HAVE to do, not something we DESIRE to do. Let's also stop pulling stuff out of our heads or re-using resolutions we've made and haven't kept for the last couple of years.  This year, instead of our ego making up the list of things we "think" we have to change, let's invite our body and spirit to join us so we can tap into our inner knowing and feel ourselves stepping into our best year ever.  

This year, I invite you to try a new process of starting your year. Here is how:

1. Schedule some time for yourself. Try starting with a meditation to center yourself. For at least 7 minutes follow your breath as you direct your focus inward to let your spirit become fully present. As you inhale, visualize a beam of light coming in through the top of your head and filling up your whole body. As you exhale visualize the light going through your body, out your feet into the ground.  Let go of any thoughts, worries or tension. Exhale them into the ground or let them float away like clouds. Your goal is to give your mind and ego a rest and become fully present.
   
   
2. When you are ready, open your eyes, and write about what you would like to see happening this year. What kind of person do you want to be, how do you want to feel, what would have to happen this year to make this your best year yet?
   
   
3. Now visualize it being the end of the year. You are writing a letter to one of your best friends, a mentor, your family, somebody supportive in your life. Write the letter as if everything you want to happen this year happened. Describe it to them as if you are giving them an update of your life. Sharing all the things you've done, changes you've made and how you've grown. To close your letter share your gratitude with them for supporting you on your journey. Have this letter handy and read it daily.
   
   
4. From this letter create daily habits that will support you in making the changes you listed. What actions can you start taking today? Small constructive actions taken on a daily or routine basis can quickly give you a sense of accomplishment and forward momentum.
   
   
5. Tap into your creativity and make a collage that for you represents your best year ever. It does not have to make sense to anybody but you. Cut out empowering images out of old magazines, use fabric, pens, glitter... anything that will stimulate you visually and remind you of your vision. Put the collage where you will see it and be inspired often.

When we create our life and make decisions aligned with our being and our values, it becomes so much easier to follow through. This year I invite you to make it your priority to be true to yourself with whatever you do. Know, that you have everything it takes to create your best year yet and live a fulfilled and meaningful life. One last tip is to team up with a "best year ever" buddy, create a group and/or hire a life coach for accountability and support as well as celebrating your successes and championing you on the way. Here is to your best year yet!

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