I’ve always been one for New Years resolutions. I think it’s the perfect opportunity to think about your intentions for the year ahead, and put those ideas down on paper. I always write my goals down after learning that the act of writing down your goals, makes you up to 42% more likely to achieve them. Crazy!
I recently shared on my Instagram that my biggest goal for 2020 was to have a general feeling of contentment. Since leaving university I’ve become so obsessed with achieving things, it’s exhausting! I feel as though I’ve spent the past couple of years just focusing on all the things I want to accomplish, rather than living in the moment and being content with what I have. For some reason my brain has just been ticking constantly and I just want to slow it right down, and be content.
After doing some reading and some podcast listening, the main ways I am going to tackle this, what I am going to call; “lack of fulfilment” is through the following…
- The act of being grateful. Sometimes I don’t realise how good I have it, and how many amazing blessings I’ve had throughout my life. I think this unawareness can definitely contribute to a lack of contentment, comparison and always wanting more. A particular study by Winata and Andangsari (2017), found that simply by practicing gratitude, individuals are less likely to compare themselves to other people on social media – thus being more content in oneself.
- Work out the things that make me feel the happiest, and commit to spending more time doing those things. I heard this on a podcast the other week, and I thought, hold on… Why have I not done this before?! If you’re constantly surrounded in environments where you are not at your happiest, you are far less likely to feel content and enjoy the moment.
- Focus on the positives in myself and the things I have achieved. I think this is such a big problem amongst almost everyone. We always forget how much we have achieved already, and instead only focus on what we want to achieve. I find once I’ve ticked one thing off my list, I automatically think of the next goal I need to achieve. I hope that by regularly writing down the small things I have achieved, I’ll be more likely to feel a sense of accomplishment and overall happiness.
Well there you have it! I am honestly SO looking forward to continuing practicing looking after myself, and building a positive mindset!
Here’s to 2020 and the next decade!
