2020 has been a year. As a friend said, “One for the books.” While practicing Yoga years ago, I decided to take a “Theme” for the upcoming New Year. It was “Rise Up” and while this sounds like a Rastafarian approach, it wasn’t. My theme felt like it covered several areas that I was in process with, while deepening my Yoga practice. Another year it was “Self-Love” and after deciding that I had wandered off-track by September, I chose to repeat my theme the next year. You can be flexible with yourself and your methods.
I invite you to create a theme for your New Year and have some fun with it. You will generate inner changes, so strive to stay balanced and be gentle with yourself as emotions and thoughts surface.
We want to support ourselves in order to be successful when initiating new behavior. Consider the following ways you might carve out time and space to live with your theme:
- Find a quiet place to sit and read uplifting writings, poetry or journal for 10-15 minutes. Meet a friend for lunch or a cup of coffee/tea.
- Get outdoors and give yourself the gift of quiet grounding nature offers for reflection.
Incorporate gentle physical activity into your weekly routine by adding less active movement that can be quietly supportive, especially when in transition like:
- Restorative Yoga
- Stretching on the floor, mat or soft surface
- Walking while listening to nature sounds, classical music or jazz
You might give yourself a 15-minute soak in the tub. Stay hydrated before and after your bath. Both will strengthen your body’s resiliency when you are making changes.
Be easy with yourself and avoid being dogmatic with your theme.
Your environment can bring you happiness, joy, and support with your New Year’s theme. Enjoy your theme and have a Wonderful New Year!
