There\u2019s just something about the dawn of a new year that brings a new sense of purpose to\u00a0our lives and a desire to do better.\u00a0For many of us, the natural inclination is to make improvement promises to ourselves: \u201cThis\u00a0year, I will finally sign up for that boot camp I\u2019ve been meaning to take\u201d or \u201cIn 2019, I\u2019m going\u00a0to make at least one new friend.\u201d<\/p>\n
The thing is, a new year often tempts us to ADD to our already crazy lives, in the hopes that\u00a0this one addition will make everything better somehow.\u00a0But what if\u2026 what if the very best thing we could do was to cut out a few things before we\u00a0started adding anything new.<\/p>\n
So, before filling your diary with even more commitments, why not take stock of the long-held habits and burdens that may be holding you back, stealing your joy or simply leaving\u00a0you exhausted. Here are a few ideas:<\/p>\n
So, you had an awkward interaction with a colleague at the coffee machine \u2013 they used an\u00a0offish tone with you and now you can\u2019t stop thinking about it. What did you do wrong? Did\u00a0they maybe misinterpret that remark you made in the stand-up meeting? Could they be\u00a0upset about the fact that you couldn\u2019t attend their birthday drinks? Perhaps they\u2019re jealous of\u00a0your recent achievements. What if this? What if that?<\/p>\n
Sound familiar? If you\u2019re the type who tends to analyse every interaction to the most minute\u00a0details, you\u2019re probably a bit of an over-thinker. Apart from the fact that it\u2019s a super tiring\u00a0exercise, it can also leave you feeling paranoid and make it impossible for you to act\u00a0spontaneously.<\/p>\n
Make 2019 the year that you let things be. Some interactions will just be awkward. If it\u2019s\u00a0really bothering you, pluck up the courage and talk to the other person\/people about it to get\u00a0their perspective. It will save you loads of energy, time and headspace.<\/p>\n
Closely related to overthinking is the tendency to want to please everyone around you\u2026\u00a0often to your own detriment.\u00a0The root of this incessant need is of course our desire to be accepted and liked. Instead of\u00a0standing up for what we like, believe or desire, we\u2019ll go with what the majority\/more assertive\u00a0people want in the hopes of seeming easy-going and flexible.<\/p>\n
Well, you know what: you have some pretty great ideas! And every time you just go with\u00a0what anyone else wants instead of doing what you know will make your soul sing, you\u2019re\u00a0robbing yourself and possibly even those around you of some seriously epic experiences.<\/p>\n
Make 2019 the year in which you kick the people-pleasing habit and stand up for yourself,\u00a0your ideas, your plans and your desires.<\/p>\n
It seems like a no-brainer: if you don\u2019t understand the word in the list of ingredients on your\u00a0mascara, do you really want to put it on your sweet, sweet lashes?<\/p>\n
No!<\/p>\n
The fact is that most commercial beauty products are filled with toxic ingredients that can be\u00a0harmful to our bodies, as well as the environment.\u00a0Fortunately, with a growing selection of earth-friendly, cruelty-free and harmless beauty\u00a0products<\/a> around, you can easily make 2019 the year you clean out your make-up bag!<\/p>\n There\u2019s no denying that \u2013 in many ways – the digital devices we carry around have all but\u00a0become extensions of ourselves. They\u2019re our primary means of communication and even\u00a0help us keep track of our health and wellness. All things considered, they\u2019re nifty tools to\u00a0have around!<\/p>\n However, if we don\u2019t set healthy boundaries for ourselves, we can end up becoming slaves\u00a0to our devices instead of employing them to assist us in living better lives.\u00a0So, here are a few ideas for avoiding 24\/7 connection in the new year:<\/p>\n It\u2019s so easy to get caught up in the comparison trap \u2013 measuring your own beauty,\u00a0achievements and dreams against others. There\u2019s absolutely nothing life-giving about this.<\/p>\n Why not try trusting your own path this year, believing in your talents, embracing your\u00a0beauty, pursuing your dreams and encouraging others to do the same?<\/p>\n If you feel envy rearing its ugly little head, try practicing gratitude instead and see your life\u00a0bloom in new and unexpected ways!<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve gotten used to working through your lunch break, take the opportunity of a brand-new year to break that terrible habit.<\/p>\n Use the 30 minutes or half-an-hour you have at your disposal to eat a healthy meal\u00a0mindfully, go for a walk, chat to colleagues, meet a friend for coffee or even do a quick little\u00a0bit of yoga!<\/p>\n You can also keep the blood flowing throughout the day by trying these toning exercises at\u00a0your desk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Last, but definitely not least, make 2019 the year in which you cut down on single-use plastic\u00a0<\/a>even more.\u00a0We have loads of articles about minimising the use of plastic in your home and switching to\u00a0a zero-waste lifestyle<\/a>.<\/p>\n And there are so many products in the Faithful to Nature shop<\/a>, which will help ease the\u00a0transition.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n New Year\u2019s Realisations \u2013 Easy Swaps to Realise in 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n4. 24\/7 CONNECTION<\/h1>\n
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5. CONSTANT COMPARISON<\/h1>\n
6. SITTING FOR 8 HOURS STRAIGHT<\/h1>\n
7. PLASTIC<\/h1>\n