On this crisp new year, I’d like to share my 10 favourite things that may help towards creating more happiness in your life. I hope they help:
1. Relish in your own skills. We are unique to any other person, so comparing ourselves to others is a waste of time. You do you and let them do them.
2. Find more time for yourself this year. We all have busy lives but setting aside time for ourselves is like putting your oxygen mask on first: it gives us space to be there for others when we are ready for them.
3. Be in the now. The past is behind us and the future is just a construct. Try to be aware of who you are in the moment, instead of worrying about what has been or what may come.
4. Hold good things closer to you for an extended period. Often, we’re tempted to hold onto the negative and quickly let go of the great stuff. When great stuff happens, relish in it for longer. Hold it close.
5. Play more. Life can be so serious a lot of the time and we forget to put joy back into our lives. So, find time to be joyful more; preferably without needing consumption of some kind.
6. Before sleep, take a moment to remember all the good things that happen throughout the day and reflect on the people you love and who love you. It’s a great way to start your slumber.
7. Say no more. Many of us are givers. We’re afraid to say no to people or to situations. But there is true power and clarity in politely declining something. It can be exceptionally energising.
8. Change one thing about yourself YOU want to commit to. So many of us start diets and say we’ll do many things in the New Year but we run out of steam. Commit to just one thing until it becomes routine. It’s far more doable. Only then should we add another if we choose.
9. Practice forgiveness. We are too hard on ourselves and others. By forgiving both ourselves and another, we shed our troubles and replenish our energy. In truth, you and they only did what they had the ability to do at that moment, so forgiveness is allowing ourselves and others to fail on occasions. It’s completely natural!
10. Release yourself from relationships that don’t serve you. We needn’t be harsh or rude, but by accepting that a particular relationship can be damaging for our own growth and letting it go, we allow room and space for the right person/people to come into our lives.
Have a superb 2025 and most of all, be good to yourself this year!