Most people celebrate the New Year on January 1st, creating arbitrary “resolutions” that are broken by Valentine’s Day. I do celebrate the New Year, but for me, my personal “New Year” is in October when I celebrate my birthday. Anyone who knows me, will tell you I celebrate all of October as the “all about me month,” which to some may seem silly (or others may sat it is ALWAYS about me), but for me it is a time of reflection and goal setting. I also do things to take extra care of myself. I am a Groupon junkie and so in October I purchased numerous certificates for services and events like facials and spa services (which I don’t do often enough), signed up for an acro-yoga class that I have wanted to take for years, and I got a couple massages. It is also a time where I look at what I have accomplished, what I have procrastinated on, and what needs to be reevaluated.
One thing I decided was to commit to fewer things until I had more on my goal list completed. I enjoy most of the things I participate in and all the things I do to increase my knowledge enhance my service to others and benefit my life, but sometimes I find myself overwhelmed with the to do pile I have created for myself. It seems like hypocrisy when I experience anxiety about not finishing reading all the books I have started reading on stress management, or that while still procrastinating from writing a book proposal on wellness advice I feel unwell because it sits undone. So I committed to not committing for a while.
Your birthday may fall in January, but that’s OK, I think when you change your perspective and make your New Year more personal and less collective, it helps to make a promise to yourself instead of random, non-committal “to do” lists. Sometimes your goals may need to take some pressure off of yourself, to make a “to don’t” list, or reevaluate how you set your goals- possible creating activity based goals rather than outcome based goals (such as, “I will workout at the gym for a minimum of 30 minutes, 4 days per week,” rather than, “I want to lose 30 pounds,”).
Do something that you always wanted to do, with no pressure. Never had a massage? Get one. Want to take a Zumba class? Go do it. Want to hang upside down in funky yoga poses? Join me with a Groupon for the acro-yoga class in Plano.
Maybe you can experience a new food. Take a cooking class on healthy meals (we have one coming up on healthier holiday celebrations if you check out my Facebook for more information if you’re interested). Try out a food co-op like Bountiful Baskets, or take a trip to Sprouts and have a healthy shopping trip.
What’s something that you’ve always wanted to incorporate to celebrate yourself? I’d love to hear from you with questions or topics that you’d like to read more about.
Liz Jones is a wellness professional in Rockwall, Mesquite, Wylie and surrounding areas. She is a writer, certified yoga instructor, personal trainer and wellness coach. She holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Strategic Management, with a graduate certificate in Ethics and Leadership. Her undergraduate studies included communication, business, writing, art, fitness, and dance. Liz Jones can be reached at: [email protected].