How to Keep Your Positivity in the New Year

The answer to this question is not what you think, but it is absolutely imperative! And it is a never-ending challenge we all deal with.

Two days after Christmas it hit me (not another ornament off the tree), but the realization that I was exhausted. My legs hurt so bad from all the cooking, food preparation, dishes, putting away the decorations and then spending several hours raking leaves and other heavy work around my ranchette.

You probably don’t know this about me — I never sit down and watch TV in my sweats. Sweats are for working out, right? For me, the act of sitting down leads to going to sleep. Just ask my massage therapists or the yoga instructor for any class I have ever taken.

But all this activity was just too much. My body ached and my mind was spent.

I was exhausted! I couldn’t do One. More. Thing. How in the heck did I get in this position?

That’s when it hit me! I wasn’t taking care of myself!

As a woman raised in the 50’s, 60’s or maybe even the 70’s, we are taught to do it all and we can do it all, but should we?

I was reminded that day that I don’t have to do it all. I can delegate. I can pace myself, and it was crucial to rest, relax and rejuvenate or my positivity was going to go straight out the window!

We all need to reflect on how we feel — emotionally, physically, and spiritually — on a regular basis. This is not just to avoid burn-out, but so we can maintain our positivity!!

Do we feel a need to just rest? Connect with a friend? Eat a balanced meal? Just pay attention to your body and figure out what you need most!

It’s normal to have a let-down after a big event like the holidays, but we have to give ourselves permission to take care of ourselves. I don’t just mean we should work less, but we also need to pamper ourselves.

Here are some ideas:

-First and foremost, get more sleep. You probably need it! Take a break and rest or take a nap.

-Pet the dog or cat (or in my case — the chickens or sheep.)

-Take a leisurely walk.

-Take a bubble bath or use a hot tub.

-Read a book; listen to a book or music. Do a puzzle.

-Tune out for a while.

-Schedule a massage right after holidays.

-Go out to lunch with friends, talk on the phone or meet for coffee.

-Have a girl’s night out or in and watch a chick flick.

Anything that fills your need — DO IT!

We really need to take care of ourselves first to keep our happy and positive mindset. We need to be aware and catch the change in our attitude asap so we can redirect it and fill that void!

So, I challenge you to keep tabs on your body, mind and spirit — and when you feel something lacking — DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Pivot your mindset to a more positive one by taking care of yourself first! This change will help keep you in a positive mindset all year.

Janie J is the author of “Live the Life You Have Imagined,” “Single and Sixty,” “The Unimagined Awakening” and The New I Am Document, Volume 1.”
She began writing books after a spiritual awakening let her tap into universal wisdom. Her mission is to help others live a life of more joy and understanding and to raise the consciousness of all humankind. Get started on your own journey with a free copy of the Connect to Transform Process at www.TheNewIAMMovement.com/transform.