Taking Care of You

Now that the holiday season has ended and the festivities are over, it’s time to focus on the New Year. Not only is January a time to pursue new opportunities but it’s a time of reflection. Looking back on the last few months lets you see just how far you’ve come and allows you to reevaluate the best way to achieve your goals.

But no matter how you approach 2020, keep in mind that this is also an opportunity to better yourself. Here are a few ideas to give you a boost.

Narrow Your Focus. Trying to do too many things at once scatters your focus. Start with one major undertaking and break that goal or project down into small, bite-size steps. For instance, instead of focusing on being able to run five miles a week, concentrate on jogging a little further every time you go for a run. Worthwhile goals take time to achieve, and persistence definitely pays off.

Change Your Outlook. Happy people don’t rely on outside sources and influences to determine their self-worth and sense of well-being. The happiest people I know look for internal sources of positivity and good energy rather than waiting for life to provide them with happiness. 

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others. It’s easy to look at someone else’s life and think, “They’ve got it made. I wish I had what they have.” Whenever you find yourself thinking these negative thoughts, keep in mind that we compare our behind-the-scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel. Everyone is fighting their own battles, even if you can’t see it.

Remember to Breathe. It’s easy to get caught in a downward spiral when problems rise. One thing that helps me is to ask myself, “Will this be causing me this much stress a month from now?” It never fails to provide some true perspective on the problem. We’ll never be able to completely avoid the stress the world throws at us but how we cope with it daily plays a huge role in shaping our overall happiness.

Cut Out Negative People. Your surroundings impact you tremendously. If you spend time with positive people, you’re more likely to be positive. So, do you best to cut out the naysayers in your life. This is a lot easier said than done; everyone, even your lifetime family and friends, can go through rough patches. If you realize their negativity is more the norm rather than the exception, it might be time to consider distancing yourself from them. Remember that you have a larger responsibility to take care of yourself than you do anyone else.

Organize Your Time. Keep a schedule to keep yourself on track. Learn to say no to demands that don’t align with your goals. Not only will you be less frantic, but you’ll also have more time to do the things that energize you. When you start filling in your schedule, make sure you set aside time for yourself.

The New Year gives us an opportunity to better ourselves by wiping the slate clean. It’s easy to get caught up in that initial wave of enthusiasm only to come crashing down when your efforts don’t produce immediate and amazing results. Take a deep breath, focus on the process itself, and stop comparing yourself to others. Being good to yourself gets you further in the long run. Just sayin’.

Published: New Mexico Apartment News Magazine – Jan/Feb 2020