Just two weeks into the year, your new years resolution is fresh and you have probably taken some steps towards reaching your goals. Changing the way you approach the new year might help you get closer to reaching your 2020 dreams.
Resolution v Intention
A resolution is sometimes influenced by the past, created out of self-loathing, and can bring up adverse feelings towards the present moment. When you instead create an intention, you keep the journey as one of your treasures, taking compassionate steps forward, with no attachment to the outcome.
Jon Kabat-Zinn, the developer of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction describes mindfulness as,“The awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally." Practicing mindfulness brings you back to the present moment, serving as reminder that you are always capable of beginning to begin again.
Intentions are more flexible, conforming to what life has to offer instead of creating rigid guidelines. The rigidity of resolution can leave you feeling disappointed when life throws your curveballs.
Mindful living requires having gratitude in the present moment, on purpose, without judgment. Perhaps you can challenge yourself to shift your perspective to that of what it means to create and manifest intention.
Manifesting Your Intention
All of the tools below will help you bring your intentions to life.
Track Your Habits
Maybe you can benefit from a creative outlet. Have you considered bullet journaling. Tracking good habits, or using a mood tracker can help you measure your progress, and can provide direction to bring you closer to living your intention. There are endless examples with a simple Google search.
Track meditation, yoga, the amount of water you drink, or the days you exercise for at least 30 minutes. This will hold you accountable, and let you know how you are progressing.
Reward Yourself
There is natural gratification in creating a routine and sticking with it, but who doesn't enjoy a reward. Setting small more attainable goals is incredibly rewarding. Maybe you take yourself to movie, splurge on a coffee, get a manicure or pedicure, or take a Friday afternoon off.
Schedule Daily Phone Free Time
Try a phone free walk, make your bedroom phone free zone or simply turn all of your notifications off. We are glued to our phones and our phones can be particularly distracting.
Spending time completely disconnected can leave you feeling inspired and reenergized.
Response v. Reaction
Oftentimes, you gain momentum, then, life throws you a curve ball, seemingly stealing the wind from your sails. Mindful practices result in naturally responding with a bit more grace and can help you better shoulder stress.
It is important to manage your stress, be grateful for ALL parts of your journey and to not emotionally react. An emotional reaction is guaranteed to cause more issues and can even take a toll on your health. Strategy, empathy and creativity are more effective and positive responses to roadblocks and other challenges you might face.
Here is to shining your light all 2020!