I get very excited about the New Year. It’s a time for change, for new opportunities, for a new look at my life. It’s like I get a second chance at whatever resolution didn’t work last year. Typically, this is 99% of my resolutions…but still.
How many of us fall off after a month of trying out a new gym, or joining a Pilates class, or even trying to cook more healthy dinners at home? (Thank God for take-out.) Trying to take charge of your health and your life is a good thing, even if those old habits kick back in eventually. But the point is, now is the time to grab hold of that motivation – to try and make some changes that lead you closer to the life you envision for yourself.
I think what’s even more important than setting goals like working out, going on a diet, pursuing a new career – those things that are socially acceptable and maybe even required by society – is that you have a clear vision of what makes you happy. Maybe you want to spend more time working in your garden, or learning how to cook French pastries, or trying your hand at volleyball or ice sculpture. These things are important, too. Doing more of what makes you happy brings an overall sense of contentment to your life.
My goal for the New Year is to incorporate more of these things in to my schedule. Of course life is busy. Work is busy. Everyone is so f***ing busy that we barely have time to think, let alone go to the gym for a 6:45 spinning class. But I’m actually going to sit down with a calendar and schedule in a time every week where I’m pursuing a new activity that makes me happy.
So then the question really is – what makes me happy?
I don’t even know what it is yet. I’m going to try and create an old-fashioned vision board with magazine cut-outs (sorry, Pinterest). I’m going to try different things and see what clicks. I’m going to try to find my bliss again in 2014, because I think it went missing in 2013.
I encourage all of you to make the New Year’s resolutions less of a punishment and more of an embracing of what we have and can do that’s right in front of us. Instead of focusing on what we don’t have (an AH-MAZING body, a new house, a boyfriend) – start exploring some of those hobbies that you haven’t made time for because you assumed there was no point. Pursuing something that brings you joy is as important in life as pursuing a successful career or taking care of your family.
So, happy 2014. And at the risk of sounding cliche, follow your bliss.
About Kelly Seal
Kelly is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles, CA. She blogs about dating, relationships, personal growth and what "healthy living" means to her. You can follow her on Google+, Twitter @kellyseal or through her website www.kellyseal.com.
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