by Charlotte Gurney
2021 has been a pretty challenging year for everyone and you might be feeling drained and burned out, maybe even a bit negative. Unwinding now, and taking some steps to regain your positive mindset for the start of 2022 will be essential to help you make the most of whatever is coming next.
Create a new morning routine. Start the day well and the rest will follow. Right now that might mean taking five minutes to meditate or focus before your day starts. In the new year perhaps the right morning routine will be getting up 30 minutes earlier to exercise, plan or just do something you love.
Mark each small win. Celebrate each achievement, no matter how small, and your positivity will start to rise. Big progress is made up of small steps and the more small steps you notice yourself taking the happier you’ll feel with how you’re doing.
You are what you say. Notice the language you use and swap this for something more positive. For example, if someone asks you how you are steer clear of “fine” and tell them how you honestly feel. Hopefully this will be “great” or “fantastic” but if not then you may feel better simply as a result of being honest.
Make time to exercise every day. Exercising not only keeps you fit and mobile but releases feel good chemicals into the bloodstream too. Vary your exercise to suit what your body needs on the day to get the most from it, whether that’s running and crossfit or gentle recovery stretching.
Test out some visualization. Having a clear idea of what success looks like can be very powerful in making it happen and make us feel more positive about what’s to come. Close your eyes, relax and visualize everything about what you want to succeed at, whether that’s a new job or making a creative project happen.
Make space for down time. Especially as the year is coming to an end it’s essential to get some rest in so that you’re ready to hit the ground running in 2022. That could be sleeping, reading or moving rest such as a gentle walk.
Identify some external sources of inspiration. Some days you just won’t be feeling positive and that’s when inspirational sources can help. Books, social media accounts, quotes and people can all give you a boost when your mood drops.
Test out meditation. Being able to meditate is the foundation of a more positive mindset as it will give you the tools to detach from, and observe, emotions and feelings rather than being overwhelmed by them. Start with just a few minutes or use a guided meditation app for structure.
Surround yourself with positive people. Avoid the toxically positive people who will generate fake enthusiasm in every situation, whether they are feeling it or not, and find those who are genuinely curious and excited by life and its challenges.
Positivity is a choice. There are some days when it’s not possible to be upbeat and enthusiastic and on those days you may need to give your body and mind care and rest. But on others it’s possible to choose to be more positive. Try to make 2022 the year that you take the positive path 99.9% of the time and see how much better you feel at the end of it.