The year 2020 is upon us. My mom asked me the other day did I think back in the year 2000 that I would see the year 2020? Did you?. In all honesty, 2020 seemed a lifetime away, but here we are.
Most of my life I am excited and optimistic about a new year. To me, it’s a time of new plans, new dreams, and new possibilities. But this year for some reason I seemed to hit a brick wall in January. I believe that due to a super busy holiday season and sickness in our home, it was just a little hard for me to recover. But, now a few weeks into the new year and I am ready to hit the ground running.
In this post, I want to share with you a few ideas to start the new year off right, even if you were struggling at the beginning. Being honest with myself I have to remember that we are human and all have ups and downs at times or get in ruts, that’s why we should be encouraging and lift each other up, so someone will be there for us in our time of need.
Starting The Year Off Right:
1) Something that I like to do at the first of the year is making a “bucket list” of activities or things that I would like to accomplish in the year. I am not a proponent to New Year Resolutions because these are usually really hard to keep and we will likely break them and then feel like a failure. No one ever wants that. Goals or bucket list items are fun to make. Usually, my list consists of being there more for loved ones, encouraging more, visiting somewhere local that I have never been or going to a show that I love. And goals, I like to set one or two a year, specifically for my businesses to grow and to be more present.
2) Get outside and take in the fresh air. This is really big and important for me and helps with the “winter blues” that many have this time of year. Go out and take a walk or a drive to a local coffee shop and enjoy the aromas around you.
3) Most importantly, DO NOT compare yourself to others. President Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. This quote really says it all. We live in a world of constant comparison and unkindness.
4) Take a sabbatical from social media. As much as I do enjoy social media, it is not always beneficial to our health. Sometimes for me, I have to take time off from all forms of social media and I’ll usually do this in the first part of the year. It is amazing how freeing it can feel. This would really help in not comparing yourself to others area too.
5) Try to regain some of your creativity. We all have some form of creativeness inside of us. Surround yourself with the things that you love or enjoy doing to get those creative juices flowing.
6) Last but not least, remember that this too shall pass and you will soon be out of that rut. Sometimes we learn life’s greatest lessons in a downtime. It also teaches us how to be there for others in their time of need.
Also what really helps me is to know that Jesus is right there with me in my ups and downs and He is walking alongside me in this journey called “life”.
I hope that in this new journey and venture we are on that we can inspire and encourage you in your season of life or to step out and try that new thing you have been wanting to. Let’s go out and make this the best year yet and be the change!
Happy 2020 everyone!!! Amanda
