As this remarkable year draws to a close, most people are understandably eager to wave adios to 2020 and close the chapter on the pandemic, quarantine, politics, injustice, financial and mental health woes that have touched us all in some way this year.
However, it is worth noting there is nothing magical about turning a page in the calendar, even if it does begin a new year. If we want 2021 to be a better year, we must do what we can to create it. While we cannot control other people or world events, we absolutely can control our thoughts and choices that create our personal experiences. In fact, the crazier things get in the world around us, the more important it is to consciously create in our own world!
Here are three simple strategies to create your best life in 2021:
Be as grateful as you can for your current situation, recognizing all the aspects of Life that you enjoy. It’s easy to overlook the blessings of sight and hearing, clothes to wear, a place to call home, ideas, resources, and more. The more gratitude we cultivate, the more we will have for which to be grateful. There have been good things to come from the unusual experiences of 2020. The more we recognize and appreciate them, they more they move from being a liability to a benefit.
Do your own thinking. It is so easy to get swallowed up in the news and all the drama of social media. The more we expose ourselves to the talking heads and vitriol, the more challenging it is to stay calm and steady. Mind your energy. Watch only as much news as you need to know what’s going on in the world and no more. Give yourself breaks from social media. It is true each person is free to express his or her views, but we do not have to observe or comment on them.
Create healthy rituals for body, mind and spirit to ground and center yourself. It is easier than it might seem, and you can begin anywhere that appeals to you. There are many paths to creating wellness. Here are a few ideas to get started: Walk outside each day that weather permits; drink plenty of water; read inspiring or uplifting books; eat real food; get adequate sleep; meditate, or pray; journal. There are many ways to create holistic health in your life, and again, the more consciously you choose to do these, the better your life experience will be in 2021, or any year!
