How are you feeling? Heading into the New Year with expectations of a New Year's resolution can be confusing and overwhelming. I am here to say it is time to stop putting that unneeded pressure and heaviness on yourself to be a certain way, act a certain way, put a $ amount to your worth or be that "perfect weight". I want you to take this time to be good to you. In this blog I will share with you a simple exercise to help ease you into 2023 with clarity and excitement for your own personal path that lays ahead. I want you to have some fun as you reflect on the goodness on what has happened in your life over the last 12 months as we move into 2023.
Our past is looked at in Qigong and Chinese Medicine as an important teacher that can help us create a clear future with meaningful intentions.
I want to help you create a clear vision for your future feeling confident, at ease and that embodies positive energy. It is a wonderful thing having hopes, dreams and ambition as we move forward into 2023. Every day is a new day, a fresh start. It is helpful to create a journal/guide to help keep you on track, make small steps, stay mentally clear and enjoy the journey that lays ahead. Think of this as your own adventure. By reflecting on this past year, this will allow you to be open to making positive changes and possibly creating a new direction having some fun as you move into the New Year.
Let start to journal. Find a place that is quiet where you can focus on YOU!
1 - Start by reflecting on what are some of your biggest achievements in 2022. Write it all down. Don't limit yourself to one thing. Think of all aspects of your life. You can reflect on your career, your family, hobbies, friends, volunteer work, habits, schooling, personal goals, adopting a pet, moving, completing a special project, etc...... Whatever comes to mind that created a positive step forward for you. There are no bad answers here. Did you experience growth in a romantic relationship, or did you stick to an exercise routine that you love, or maybe you started including some whole foods regularly in your diet and limited alcohol consumption or sweets? If yes to any of these definitely note this as a Win Win for you. Often we tend to focus on negative times, issues, situations and these great moments in our lives are pushed to the side and forgotten. It is important and time to bring these accomplishments to the for front and celebrate you. Acknowledge the ways you have succeeded by taking 5 minutes or so to write down your personal wins.
2 - Next- Take a moment to reflect of what perhaps did not happen for you in 2022. Ok, before tackling this step be sure not to judge or be negative towards yourself when listing what you did not achieve or hoped for as you went through this past year. Think of the similar ideas as mentioned in the above step. Look at career, relationships, habits, etc., and any other important parts of your life. Remember this is your exercise. No one is here to rate you, judge you or criticize at all. No one is perfect. We are all on a journey. This is exciting as the areas your not to pleased with in your last year can be looked at as areas for you to grow and make a real difference going forward. Think of this as shining a light on the past in order for you move forward with positive decisions, ideas, directions.
3- Keep going - What will you continue doing in 2023? Start writing on a new page. Here is time to really show appreciation for who you are and what you have done that is so great! Look back on step #1 and focus on those amazing wins that you want to continue into the New Year. Maybe you started going to bed earlier and have been feeling more refreshed for the day so this is an important goal to keep. Maybe you are drinking more water everyday and feeling more energized, hydrated and your skin is glowing. Keep this up! Perhaps you graduated from a course that was transformational and loving the passion you feel for it and have started sharing with the world. Continue with this energy and growth going into 2023. Your list is your list, authentic to you. Write it all down. Notice how this feels. Look at all the wonderful gifts you possess. This helps to keep you stay grounded as you can focus on who and what is important to you.
4- Last Step- What do you want to Manifest in 2023? Turn the page on your journal. You have done the prep work and now this is time to write out what it is you truly want to manifest and cultivate as you go forward. Now, take a look at your page of what did not work. You are going to rewrite these items with a positive intention. By doing this, you are changing these challenges that perhaps didn't work out as planned into new transformational positive goals. Be kind to yourself. For example, if you did not spend as much quality time with your kids you can write, "In 2023 I will put down my phone week nights from dinner on to engage with my kid's activities whether we play outside, read a book, watch a movie, help with homework or just be present to listen, and I will set a time every weekend that is dedicated for my kids." Here you will begin to transform these goals into healthy habits and behaviours. This can be very empowering as you are creating clarity in your life as you now know what you specifically want to change. Qigong embodies the energy from the Earth, the Universe, and Nature that is all around us and forever changing. When you do this exercise, it is like taking food, composting it and nourishing the soil of the Earth to create and grow new healthy foods, plants, trees and flowers. You are taking what did not necessarily work for you last year, examining it and then making the positive changes so these intentions become reality. One more step to this step - Now think of brand new intentions/goals/ideas you would like to have happen in 2023. Have fun with this. Let your imagination be wide open and get creative. Perhaps you are wanting to change careers, or get yourself ready for retirement, or try a new activity like ballroom dancing. Write it down.
This is exciting! You now have 2 lists that will serve as your guides going into 2023. The list of everything you are going to continue doing into the new year and the list that contains what you want to transform and also start doing in the new year. Both are equal. Going back to the philosophy of Chinese Medicine and Qigong, our past is an important teacher that can help us create a clear future with positive intentions.
I hope you have found this to be a fun and fulfilling exercise in helping to guide you into your own positive personal transformation as we move into 2023. A time to reflect, slow down, and tune into what brings you joy and peace within.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or comments. Every day is a new day. This is your path of feeling your best. Remember that it is never a weakness reaching out for help and guidance. It is a sign of strength. You are taking a powerful step forward for positive change.
From our home to yours we wish you a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
Love, Light & Qi
Jennifer Nocito
Certified Holistic Wellness Coach, RHC HCA, Certified Qigong/Yoga/Pilates/Meditation Teacher
Yoga First and Wellness
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