How to Slow Down & Reset For the New Year

It’s a new year, and that means it’s a time of new beginnings. While I’m all for chasing your dreams and setting your goals, I also believe in the power of a slow approach in helping us to get to where we want to be.  And that is where a slow down and reset comes in.

When we transition from the busy end of the year straight into the hustle of the new year, we don’t allow ourselves any time to decompress and rejuvenate, which can lead to burnout and a lack of clear vision for our goals.

Slow Down & Reset for the New Year

That’s why I believe in starting the year off slow and mindful, aligning with winter’s restful and transformative energies and allowing them to guide us to dream, help us find inspiration in the quietness, and help to nurture our lives overall. 

Welcoming my daughter back to the blog today where she is sharing some tips and encouragement. Whether you’re looking for ways to slow down, are in need of a reset, or are feeling low energy as we begin the year, here are 5 ways you can start the year slower that can help you rejuvenate yourself, be present in the moment, and set you up for a year of happiness, balance, and success. 

1. Reflect on last year

This time of year can be full of expectations and pressure, not only from ourselves but from the world and social media. It’s easy to get caught up in the things we didn’t do last year and forget all the things we did do. So, this year, remember to take some time to slow down and reflect on last year and what it brought to you. 

Celebrate your accomplishments, and take time to learn from the difficulties. Try to see hardships in a new light and pull inspiration from the things you were proud of last year. Focus on gratitude, and allow it to fuel your intentions and goals as you move forward in the new year. 

2. Set small goals and give yourself time to reach them

A lot of us wait for the new year to change, but what we need to remember is that change takes time, and that’s okay. Instead of tackling all your goals at once, set small, reasonable goals for yourself each day to help you get to where you want to be. 

For example, if you’re trying to lose weight, eat one healthy meal a day. If you’re trying to save money, set aside one dollar a day in a savings jar, and so forth. It doesn’t have to be anything big. It’s the small action that will get us there most efficiently. And if you aren’t sure what you want to focus on yet, that’s okay, too. You have time to figure it out, and maybe what you need to do right now is slow down and rejuvenate yourself before you know what you want to go after. 

Remember, it’s not the destination that matters; it’s the journey. Take care of yourself and allow time to reach your goals so you don’t burn out before your journey begins. 

3. Ask- How Are You?

The new year can stir up a lot of feelings and emotions within us that can often leave us feeling overexerted and stressed out. Not to mention, many of us often start the year feeling burnt out already. That’s why making it a habit to check in with yourself is so important and can help you release any built-up tension you have. 

That means if your body is tired, rest. If you’re feeling burnt out, take a break. If you need to relax, practice self-care. When we listen to what we need, it can help us feel more grounded, present, and at peace. It can also help us welcome more inspiration and happiness, which can help us feel better in our lives and the pursuit of our goals.

Make your goals a priority by making yourself a priority this year, and you’ll see just how much of a difference choosing to honor your feelings can make in your overall well-being. 

4. Nurture your dreams in creative ways

The new year is also a great time to get tuned in with the vision you have within you. It’s a great time to get creative, try new hobbies, and focus on nurturing your dreams through fun practices that allow your mind to run free. 

A common project to do this time of the year is a vision board that you can fill with photos and quotes of pieces that inspire you and align with your goals (which is something we will be talking about on the blog in a future post). However, you can also do this by writing down a letter of affirmation to yourself directed toward your dream, a letter of gratitude directed towards what you’re grateful for, or even create a playlist of some of your favorite songs that make you feel inspired as you think up some ideas for the future. 

Let your creativity run free, and let whatever you create inspire you to dream big and keep dreaming all year long. 

5. Declutter your life 

Lastly, another great thing to do at the start of the year is to declutter. Not only can it feel like a breath of fresh air to let old things go, but it can also help uplift your environment and invite more positive energy, clarity, and inspiration into your life. 

Alongside your environment, you can also declutter your mind and digital space. Let go of old thoughts and habits, and get rid of anything that no longer serves your mental space, just like your physical space. For your digital space, go through any emails you’re signed up for or any people you follow, and remove those that make you feel bad about yourself.

Remove anything that makes you compare yourself or makes you feel like you aren’t good enough. Instead, fill the media you consume with people and accounts that make you feel good or that inspire you. Tackling these different areas of your life can not only help you feel less weighed down, but it can also reset your life and help you find more inspiration in your space and your endeavors. 

New Year- New Ways- New You

This year, make a conscious effort to welcome quietness, thrive in slowness, and nurture yourself, your creativity, and your life through it all. You don’t need to start off moving as quickly as possible. You don’t need to have your entire year or month figured out. But what you do need to do is prioritize yourself and your well-being if you want to find your true, long-lasting path of happiness.

Make this year your year for bettering yourself. Show up for yourself each day, focus on you-care, and remember to take your goals one step at a time. That’s all you truly need to reset your life and get on your way to manifesting your dreams in no time. 

You can read more about slow living in our previous series HERE and stay tuned for this years slow living lifestyle tips coming soon. Happy Wednesday everyone.