New Year, New You!

Happy New Year to you all.  I’m grateful to have you along on this journey to health.  I hope during this past year you found one piece of my journey that spoke to you.  I hope it motivated you to make one change on your path to wellness.

I’m not a fan of giving things up for resolutions, or lent.  I don’t believe giving up is an effective way to accomplish something.  For some reason whenever you vow to not do something it suddenly becomes an obsession.  Seriously, try giving up chocolate, or wine and suddenly it’s all you think about!  That being said there are some habits I do wish to get rid of this year.  In no particular order they are:

1) Putting myself down – I’ve long been the Queen of Self Deprecation.  I’m never fast enough, thin enough and the list goes on.  Well guess what, there’s always going to be someone faster, thinner and better at something so get over it!  This year, I’m comparing myself to myself.  Have I improved in any area of my life based on where I was last year?  My focus will be on my progress in comparison to only myself.  I’m letting go of negative self talk this year because I am truly enough just as I am.

2) People pleasing – I tend to put others first a lot.  I make many decisions based on someone else’s needs.  This year I vow to put my own needs higher on my list.  Maybe I don’t agree, or really want to do something.  It’s about time I learned to politely say no thanks.  Drawing on the Four Agreements, other people’s  decisions and needs really have nothing to do with me personally.  It’s more about them.  Since I have enough on my own plate these days, I vow to put myself first more.  I will base my decisions on what I believe will meet the needs of my family, students and self.

3) Living in the moment – We talk about this a lot in yoga.  Wouldn’t it be nice this year to live just in the present?  Letting go of all that baggage I carry around could even prompt spontaneous weight loss!  This year I will try to live only in the present.  What’s come and gone has gone away.  Once it’s done, it’s done.  No guilt, or obsessing over the past.  Focusing on the present should help me ease stress as well.  The past truly can’t be changed.  The only changes we can make are in the present and future.

4) Overthinking – Well thankfully I’m planning to live in the moment because I overthink everything.  If someone says something I tend to take it personally.  I know it’s more about them, but it’s truly hard to disconnect emotionally.  I often wonder, Could I have done better?, Was it something I said?, How can I help them? or How can I make this better?  I have to stop trying to fix everything all the time.  Sometimes it truly is what it is and that has to be alright.  I need to let it go.  Perhaps I may even sleep better, something I haven’t done in a long time.  I’m up most nights at 3 AM tossing, turning, worrying and replaying all – overthinking at its finest.  This year I’ve got to do better.

My changes are not presented you’ll notice in what I’m giving up.  Rather, I’ve linked them to the change – or what I WILL do differently this year.  I’m super excited for this year.  I hope you take some time to plan ahead and join me on the path to reclaim our health.  Happy New Year to all who take time to read my blog. I hooe you find peace, happiness and love in abundance this coming year.

Author: laurakump

I'm a mother, wife and daughter on a mission to reclaim my health. I've watched loved ones suffer from memory robbing Alzheimers and refuse to lose my precious memories to this disease. Small changes have helped me achieve health and fitness. I'm an Elementary School Principal on a mission to impact students lives. I believe we can change this world one child at a time. View all posts by laurakump