Balancing it all and trying to add on more the new year is like it is never enough. When is it enough? The more information on social media and TV I consume, the more I realize that no matter how much someone has it is never enough.Furthermore, when do we prioritize rest?
At the end of the year, I have a hard time looking back on everything that I accomplished or didn’t. I used to look at the goals that I did not make and negate the things that God had fallen into my lap or even the people I met.
Shifting focus and how we look at things takes daily practice, It is easy to consume content like podcasts, books, videos, and blog posts just like this. It is another story to actively implement the work in our day-to-day.
1. Prioritize rest in a world full of hustle
Rest, this is the most important. The entire year has been endless work especially if you reside in America where the culture devalues rest and upholds hustling. Take time off from work and use up all vacation days you have left, prioritize this if those days do not roll over.
Other ways to prioritize rest:
- Use vacation time at work
- Use half days
- Do not plan a day and let life take you wherever you want to go
- Forget the alarm clock and sleep in
2. Do something nice for yourself
Secondly, gift yourself a spa day and it does not have to be expensive, you can use a face mask, body scrubs, polish, and press-ons at home while listening to an audio book or relaxing music with no words. If the spa is not your thing, you can buy yourself something and wrap it to open on Christmas or wait until after to catch the sales.
3. Practice gratitude
The holidays can be a tough time for many , and I am no different. The spirit of discontentness was one that I read about during my financial fast, but I realized it is something that I struggled with around New Year’s and my birthday, which is Jan 9th.
Something about this year has burned me out! Although I usually forget most of what the entire year holds since I do goals quarterly. But I decided this year to follow my pastor’s advice.
For you to try!
He gave an exercise on Sunday and it is as followers
Look at your phone and select the by-month interface on your camera. Write down every positive thing that happened each month. It will help you realize more things went your way or even better this year than you might be accounting for.
4. Declutter your space
Donate clothing, home goods, kitchen appliances, or workout gear you do not use and make room for new blessings and even declutter your space studies show that a declutter space helps with mental clarity and boosts your mood.
5. Learn a new skill
Why put off until next month/ next year when you can start it today. Start your learning today or tomorrow and then make a plan to continue it in the new year. It can be a new skill to advance your career or a soft skill you’ve always wanted to work on. It is important to continue learning as an adult because it will broaden your horizons and allow you to meet new people and open new doors.
6. Prepare for a fast
Often times, churches do a collective fast after the New Year and whether you attend church or not fasting is a great way to get closer to God. There are many fasts you can take part in, does not always have to be food. This year in 2023 I did a Financial fast and followed the book by Michelle. It was by far the hardest fast I have ever done and much needed. I plan on doing it once a year and highly encourage you to participate in a fast that maybe you never thought of
7. Check your health
Schedule any doctor’s appointments and use your FSA/HSA funds on eligible healthcare items. Make sure that health products around your house are not expired, check medicines, wound care, and skincare for dates and relish for the new year. December is often the time when many working professionals are making dentist appointments to try to spend funds that may not roll over.
After setting aside time to go over the appointments you have set, check your health spending accounts for balances and your online portals for any leftover payments that have not been resolved. It is a good idea to set up a Lapcorp or Quest account if you are in the United States and double-check if there are any outstanding lab fees.
8. Volunteer
As mentioned , the holidays are often tough and lonely for some people. Opt into volunteering with your church or a local organization you find inspiring. I know people tend to give money, but giving time is something you cannot get back and is just as if not more important in showing up for others. Whenever I do something for someone else no matter how small, it reminds me of all the things God has done in my life through other people.
Generally, people volunteer with children, but there are other areas to volunteer like visiting elderly and listening to their stories. Growing up, my mom and I volunteered at a nursing home nearby and would paint the nails of women and talk, girl time is never not a thing! Every Saturday, I looked forward to hearing the stories of the women’s nails I painted. We offered each other a sense of companionship.
9. Check your book list
Check the books you may have on your list to read and add or take away some depending on your goals and newfound taste. We change our minds about things we care about or are interested in and that is okay. Visit my booklist and check out some of the books I’ve read and recommend. I added some in an Instagram post for you to check out.
One of the books I recently started reading is called All who are weary find true rest. I am enjoying it so far and will add it to the shop once I finish.
Last but not least,
10. Set Goals
I put this one last simply because it is something we usually do in the New Year, but not everyone sets goals the same. Next week, we will dive deeper into what it means to actually set goals for the New Year, but for the time being, I want you to think of some things you can write down for each of these areas:
- Financial
- Physical
- Emotional
- Career
- Relationships
- Spiritual
There should be goals for each section.
Your Before the New Year checklist:
- Prioritize rest
- Do something nice for yourself
- Practice gratitude
- Declutter your space
- Learn a new skill
- Prepare for a fast
- Check your health
- Volunteer
- Check your book list
- Set goals
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