Its a debate that’s raged for years, should we make resolutions for new year or go with the flow? In years gone by I have exhausted myself trying to stick to my resolves which are usually thoroughly unrealistic so I am very much in the camp of NOT making resolutions of the ‘I resolve to lose weight’ ‘I will go to the gym daily’ kind…because I almost certainly won’t…(well I hope I might drop a bit of weight but resolving to go on a diet is unlikely to achieve that)
Having said that though I do think its good to take some time for reflection at the end of a year. I’ve borrowed the idea from the lovely Jo De Rosa founder of Quantum Sobriety and Inner Guidance retreats, to choose a word for the year, Jo says it acts as a kind of gatekeeper for all that you focus on, people on my Media Hub facebook group have been toying with ideas such as Abundance, Focus, Authentic, Accomplish, space, Spectacular.
Jo by the way is queen of ‘resetting’ and empowering yourself to be your best self, check out the incredible Inner guidance retreats and the new juicing retreats for 2019
I also like the idea of setting intentions or goals, being clear on what you want is far more productive than making a ‘resolution’ which tends to be merely berating yourself for what you haven’t done well the year before. I love creating vision boards to literally see what I would like to manifest, and create some affirmations that will work for the year ahead.
I intend to reflect on the year just gone and practice gratitude, even for the bits that weren’t so good, hopefully I can find the learning in there somewhere….and I will definitely create that vision board. I am going to set definite diary dates for self-care, for me that means going to walk by the sea, so as I don’t live near it, that’s going to mean a trip, minimum monthly even if its a quick train ride to Brighton to blast away the cobwebs walking along the sea front!
I asked some of the changemakers and colleagues I have been working with this year to give us their thoughts on setting intentions for the New Year ….
Often our thoughts do turn to doing something about our weight or fitness levels,
Nutritional therapist and fitness expert Louise Mercieca says.
If top of the list for many people at new year is to lose weight or eat healthier, people can be unrealistic and set themselves up for failure! Drastic changes rarely work in the longer term, so it is best to be gentle on yourself! How should you really set achievable goals and not be like the estimated 90% that fail with resolutions?
Don’t banish everything on January 1st. Instead gradually make changes, this way you won’t notice them as much and are more likely to stick with them
Make a plan but make it for the whole year – something relevant to you and your schedule.
Involve friends and family in goals and plans so you don’t feel isolated.
Set realistic goals in small steps and allow yourself one indulgence a month so that you don’t feel you are depriving yourself, this way you are less likely to give up completely
Drink more water, it’s amazing how many people are dehydrated and yet this actually will make you less efficient at metabolising fat!
Look after your gut health, when this works you will manage your weight more effectively include both pre and probiotics in your diet.
Move more but within your own capabilities.
Don’t compare yourself to others especially those you only see on a screen or magazine cover.
Stay calm! Cortisol (stress hormone) increases abdominal fat storage so please don’t create more stress with your New Year’s Resolutions!
Sleep – never underestimate the healing powers of sleep. Lack of sleep also affects your hunger hormone Ghrelin; That leads to poor sleep = increased appetite.
Louise Mercieca is a Nutritional Therapist and author of the award-winning How Food Shapes Your Child nutritional cook book. www.louisemercieca.co.uk
When it come to Beauty founder of Rhythm of BEAUTY says.
Look to the magic of ritual for Being grateful for your health and beauty- when we align to ritual it becomes a habit, honour your beauty, create a morning ritual. On rising, spray magnesium oil into your lower back or any areas of concern, and set your intention for the day as you apply your day cream looking in the mirror and affirming your intention –set at least one eve a week to ‘be’ switch off all electronics, create a bath time ritual with organic salts, flowers and herbs, this is particularity powerful at a new moon to set you intention for the month, when we align to the moon cycles we don t need a new years resolution, as we create a new one every new moon that’s more powerful and easy to manifest
Carolyn Bointon doesn’t class herself an ‘expert’ in positivity but she has a lovely idea, Carolyn says..
‘I’ve learned that over people’s emotions impact on me so I strive to make friends appreciate the good in themselves, whether its a compliment on their hair or clothes or a simple ‘wow you handled that well’ I find surrounding myself with people who feel good about themselves makes me feel good too! So not entirely altruistic but a good resolution and one that I can keep!
If you’re looking for more fulfillment in 2019 here’s a comment from Nadine Searle
So at the start of a new year take some time to reflect on the one just gone, ask yourself what you want for the coming year and tune in to how you might go about making that happen. If there is something you have been putting off, something you know has to be addressed theres no better time than harnessing the energy of a new year.
You’ve heard me say it many times before…If there is something you want to achieve, whether is a new business, a charity, the book you always wanted to write, the relationship you know you deserve, you will need to visualise it, imagine it and then take action and above all remember
‘You Don’t have to get it right…you DO have to get it going’
I wish you a wonderful blissful abundant and joyful …and healthy New Year