Is It Really A New You?

As the calendar once again marches toward the end of December, you'll notice an abundance of "new year, new me" posts on your social media feeds. I posted a blog last year about why the change of year doesn't have any bearing on your choices and lifestyle. But the turnover COULD provide the impetus for a fresh start, if you choose to take action. Before you start pretending like the year is the reason for your misfortunes, realize that time is mostly a pressurized concept that we apply to ourselves. But our human nature dictates that we must compete with others and do things by a certain clock, and the stress of meeting those self-imposed deadlines can destroy us. Let's look at some ways for you to actively make 2019 a great year, instead of just talking about it.

1. Enter The Year Without Clutter

I talk a lot about clutter in these blogs. Clutter is extra baggage that we carry around that weighs us down and puts unnecessary pressure on us. Clutter can be found in the form of a disorganized home, toxic relationships, extra bills, or needed closure, among other things. About twice a year I go through my life and de-clutter. I delete old messages, clean up my social media, empty out my old bill drawers, and rid my life of toxic people who are hurting me. There's always a sense of pride and calmness that goes into having a tidy life, and doing that to kick off the new year may give you a sense of a fresh start. Get rid of the unneeded weights in your life so that you can access all the things you need in 2019.

2. Take Pride In Your Body

A lot of our self-worth can be tied to our bodies in today's world. A lot of us are constantly without energy and constantly down on ourselves due to our image. Loving your body, for WHATEVER it is, will raise both your self-esteem and your energy. Now, that's easier said than done, I know. But there's no better time than the new year to start (and stick to) a plan that benefits you. If you're having body pain that circulation and weight have a bearing on, start on a gym membership. If you're tight and need to move around after sitting at that desk job all day, there's a plethora of yoga options to try out. If you feel like you'd have more body confidence after dropping ten pounds, walk around the block daily and adopt a diet plan. All of our bodies are different, but they shouldn't be a source of stress or pain to us. Some people are restricted to the types of things they can do to feel healthier. If you're not, now is a great time to check out what works for you. You'll notice so many improvements in the coming weeks and months.

3. Happiness: The Most Important Goal

What would my self-help blog be without a reference to happiness? I assure you, this isn't an after-school special on PBS. But the biggest way to ensure that you're a happier and more productive person in 2019 is by seeking out the things you love, and cutting out the things that breed anger and sadness. That's the principal that this whole blog series was founded upon. Now you're saying "this one seems too general, what does it mean?" Well, it means if you hate your job, actively start the process of finding and applying for a new one. It means if you're in a friendship or relationship that's one-sided and constantly negative, end it. It means if you have a project you've been dying to get to but have been putting off for years, force yourself to start it. Even if it means just 15 minutes per day. It means taking the time to forgive yourself, and forgive others. Don't just say "everything's bad" and play the victim, and don't just absorb the negativity with a bad attitude. Sit down and examine what is wrong in your life, WHY it's wrong, and map out what you can DO to fix it.

Taking action is the only way to create change. You can't speak it into existence, and you can't just expect a new year to bring new fortunes. But by identifying the areas that need improvements and taking steps to make those improvements happen, you'll quickly notice that 2019 could be the year for a "new" you. Thank you all for reading my blog this year, and I wish you all a successful and love-filled new year. See you in 2019.

-Jason Burke