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When events go one after another, weekends are replaced by weekdays and vice versa, we often do not have time to realize what is happening to us. Writer Beth Kempton in her book Magical New Year offers several ideas for slowing down the usual pace of life. Try to embody them during the January calm to hear the voice of your soul.
1.Day of debriefing
New Year’s fuss is over: all the gifts have been presented, toasts have been pronounced, it is still far from working days. You can finally stop, catch your breath and turn off communication with the outside world. Why is it so necessary? Even in the most ordinary year, many changes take place in our lives and in the world. The outgoing year brought them in double size.
If we don’t stop our hectic activity for a while, continue to communicate online, hang out on social networks and try to get back to work as soon as possible, we risk missing a rare and vital opportunity to reflect and learn the necessary lessons, to honor the memory of those who are no longer with us, to rest. and regain strength.
But here, too, you need to be careful. If the year turned out to be difficult, then incorrectly built thoughts can lead to soul-searching and regrets associated with missed opportunities, disappointments, strained relationships and other unpleasant surprises that fate has thrown at us.
Try to think constructively so as not to miss the good and beautiful things that have entered your life. Even from the most unpleasant events, a useful lesson can be learned that will help us to step into the new year with hope.
2. Day in nature
At this time, nature is somehow calm in a special way. Her naked, undisguised beauty may seem dull at first glance, but in fact, behind her are the first glimpses of a new life.
Sometimes the contemplation of this cycle of all things inspires peace, and only having come into contact with it, you begin to truly appreciate this time of respite and understand how important it is for normal growth in the spring. Time changes its usual shape, stretches, and everything around seems to be permeated with magic.
3. Digital Detox Day
Turn off your phone for a day (or more) and you will feel your mood improve. Try not to use e-mail, social networks and even not to call anyone, do not listen to podcasts and music. You will be able to assess how your attitude, the quality of real communication and the work of all your senses will change.
If you can’t go without your phone for a long time, distract yourself with something. Go for a run or yoga class. Bake bread or take a bath. Do sketches instead of photos. When the hands themselves reach for the device, note this to yourself, but do nothing. Just don’t give in.
After a while, the cravings will go away on their own, and you will feel a closer relationship with what is happening around you; you will regain the ability to control your own rhythms.
4. Day of dreams
Head to your favorite coffee shop with a diary and give yourself a dream day. Watch the steam rising from your latte cup as drops of melted snow trickle down the glass, and you are inside, in a cozy haze. Let this place become a space where you can be alone with your thoughts about the present and what could be.
Dream alone or with your companion. Let your thoughts flow freely, pouring out into the pages of a diary or taking the form of long conversations about what you like best at this stage of life … and about what you would like to change.
5.Day of creativity
Carve out a day for some kind of creativity: take up painting, arts and crafts, write poetry, keep a diary, compose music, practice calligraphy, cook.
Or come up with a new garden design, design a book layout, or create a wishlist. One way or another, use your creative abilities to get into a dimension of peace, inaccessible to the hectic mind.
6. A day to take life apart
Set aside one day to put all your affairs in order, including economic and financial ones. Typically, this requires a lot of bills, slips of paper, and a bunch of boring notes to end up with an incredible sense of satisfaction.
Having freed up space from annoying little things that are constantly put off “for later”, you can focus on something more important. A useful side effect of this process is that you’ll find ways to save money along the way—maybe even recoup some of your expenses—and after Christmas, that’s always a good thing.
In order to step into the new year rested and full of energy, if possible …
- Stay away from malls and online sales.
- Avoid mindless social media scrolling.
- Stay away from loud, aggressive people.
- Do not abuse alcohol and sweets.
- Don’t make too many plans for this time of ease and relaxation.