This is why I don't make new year's resolutions anymore
Hi everyone! Last week I shared how you can make your vision board quickly, and I was thinking how much I've changed over the past year. I made many resolutions at the beginning of the year and after the summer. I thought they could have helped me reach my goals and feel happier. Instead, I felt overwhelmed and anxious because I always did not stick to them.
I used to set big long-term goals. In the beginning, these goals made me feel super excited and motivated. However, it took me just a couple of days to realize that these ambitious goals I set were my most significant source of anxiety and frustration. On the other hand, last year was the most unpredictable one for me. Every part of my life was upside down except for my relationship with my boyfriend. Everything changed so fast that I couldn't realize it. I was going with the flow of the events. So, I spent much time reflecting on what I experienced, and I immediately stopped making resolutions.
Instead, I started focusing on small goals, daily and tiny steps that could make me happy and closer to my bigger picture. I still envision how I want my life to look like. I have a clear vision of how I want to be in the future. So, I take every day as it is, with my agenda, small achievements, time to breathe. I still have my no bones days, where I can barely roll out of my bed. They are the most terrible ones. But I make time to live all of the emotions I feel, positive and negative, and work out my day depending on how I feel instead of what I have to do. This is my most significant accomplishment after the last year. I'm so proud of myself because I finally allow myself to feel emotions, slow live, take time to cry, reflect, rest.
I used to run a rollercoaster; my days were fully packed with activities, duties, work. Yet, I can remember forcing myself to be more productive, sleepless, to have more time. How crazy is that?
So, when I recovered from my illness, I took all of the teachings to start a new life. That's how my vision board was born. Of course, my goals are so different than the past, but it's ok! I mean, it's terrific!
My vision board always reminds me of the bigger picture, but I make a daily list of what I want to do depending on how I feel. When I feel anxious, I make a list of all the beautiful things I can recall, and I read them repeatedly until my anxiety is gone. When I feel great, I use all of my energies to do everything I love to do to boost my happiness.
It's a new perspective I earned over the past year, and I'm so grateful for it.
What are my go-to tools?
Even my go-to tools are different. For example, I started using Notion: it's one of my favorites! In the beginning, it could seem hard to manage. Still, it's so flexible and customizable that I can't live without it anymore. I handle everything on Notion, from the blog to my personal life. It's incredible.
My ride or die is my iPhone. I use it for my calendar and lists. I want to improve my time blocking system just to feel even better. The app Note is my savior: I write down lists, notes, thoughts, cute ideas, and so much more when I'm on the go.
I tried to be lighter with the tools. I want to feel free and lightweight. So, I took off all of the things that brought me heaviness. First, I dismissed my physical agenda because the layout couldn't fit. Then, I cleared out my closet. Oh, I'm embracing the Kindle to read both paper books and e-books. Even my wallet is smaller!
There are so many small changes I'm making in my daily activities. My mantra now is, "Is this thing making you feel good or great?". If the answer is yes, I find a way to embrace it and enjoy it. But, if the answer is not, I remove it instantly from my life with no regrets.
What makes you feel good or great? Tell me in the comments below!