It’s common to start a new year with goals or resolutions. You turn the page on a new year and think, “This is it. This is the year I’ll exercise regularly, land that new job, and travel more.”
We’ve all been there.
The problem with resolutions is they’re difficult to maintain, and if you don’t stick with them, you feel worse than when you started.
Instead of resolutions, some of you may make a list of priorities or a bucket list for the year. Others may select a word or theme for the year.
I’ve tried all of these approaches in the past. None of them were terribly helpful.
So I found something that was:
Create a single mindful intention and decide what change will look like for you.
Perfectly imperfect
Before I experienced a personal transformation, I was the classic Type A personality. A perfectionist who thrived on everything being just right. Plans, goals, dreams.
Then everything changed.
I developed an invisible chronic disease, went through an unexpected and challenging divorce, and watched my only child struggle with illness for years.
There was no part of my life left intact.
To survive and later prosper, I changed every aspect of my life, most notably my mindset.
I learned to be present.
I learned to observe my thoughts and feelings without judging them.
I learned to accept the unknown.
I learned the art of Mindfulness.
It wasn’t easy to let go of everything I planned. But, learning to be mindful and setting intentions rather than goals was the key to moving forward.
Mindfulness remains part of my daily life. It keeps me focused on what really matters.
Two Key Ingredients to Mindfulness
You can master the art of Mindfulness by incorporating two key ingredients into your daily life.
1. Awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Do you take the time to think about what you’re feeling, or do you go through the motions every day, never stopping to consider how you feel?
2. Acceptance of your thoughts, feelings, experiences, or circumstances.
Instead of judging or avoiding your feelings, embrace them. Learn to accept where you are today. It’s not where you’ll be tomorrow.
What Would You Like to Change This Year?
Everyone has a habit or behavior they’d like to address. I need regular sleep to continue healing. Without it, nothing in my life works.
For years, it’s been difficult to accomplish, but I made it a priority last year, and my efforts paid off. This year, I’m doubling down to ensure I continue to get the rest I need.
I’ve also set an intention to step out of my comfort zone in new ways this year. What that looks like is still a work in progress, but I’ll write more about it in the coming year.
Until then, if you’re tired of making resolutions only to feel like you’ve failed when they’re not met, try to set a mindful intention instead.
Define what success will look like.
Be specific.
Give yourself some slack if the intention takes longer than you hoped.
Why Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is steeped in centuries of Buddhist practice and philosophy, but it was Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., internationally known for his work as a scientist, writer, and meditation teacher, who brought Mindfulness into the mainstream of medicine, incorporating it into Western interventions to treat physical illness.
His research between 1979 and 2002 focused on mind/body interactions for healing and the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on the brain and how it processes emotions, particularly under stress.
Since the development of MBSR, other mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been developed. In his book “Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress Pain and Illness,” Kabat-Zinn showed medically proven methods that help heal.
I write about mindfulness often because it was so instrumental to my healing. Without it, I’m not sure where I’d be today.
So, if you’re ready for change, consider your mindset, practice mindfulness, and be patient as things unfold.
While the goal of Mindfulness is to cultivate perspective and bring greater mental and physical peace, Mindfulness can also bring a new sense of joy to your life.
And we all need a little of that!
I hope you join me in setting a mindful intention for 2024.
Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed New Year filled with peace, health and happiness.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with friends and click the ❤️ button at the end of this post so more people can discover it on Substack. 🙏🏻
Thank you for your ongoing support during the past year! I look forward to connecting with more of you in 2024.
On Friday, December 8th, My Mess Is My Message II was launched on Amazon and quickly became a #1 Bestselling book in the US, Canada, and the UK in several categories. The book features twenty-two inspiring stories from women who have mastered mindfulness and overcoming adversity.
If you haven’t ordered your copy, now available in Paperback or ebook, you can do so here. You won’t be disappointed!
🥳 Happy New Year Tracy, I find your writings most helpful. Cheers!
I love this message ❤️