Go easy on me?

As we make our way through January, how are you approaching things this year? 

 

Are you raring to go and itching to make up for all the missed time and abandoned plans over the last couple of years?

 

Or treading cautiously in light of everything that has been the past two years?

 

I’m definitely easing myself into 2022. And by ease, I don’t mean being passive or unambitious. I’ve got my intentions and plans for the year, as I always do.

 

What I do mean is taking your time to feel into what you want and need this year to be for you. 

 

Allowing it to come from a meaningful, resonant place that is separate from the noise and pressure of ‘New Year, New You!’.

 

But how does finding that ease play out in real life? 

 

Here are three ways you can ease into the year on your own terms and still make room to grow into more of yourself – which, in my opinion, is always the real goal.

 

 

1. Honour Your Energy

Listen to your body. 

Pay attention to what it is telling you that it needs. What it’s missing. 

Pay attention to when in the day/week/month your energy peaks and dips. Adjust accordingly. 

When you need to go more gently, do just that. When you’re in Wonder Woman mode, go for it. 

But don’t try to force your body into something it doesn’t have the capacity for. You can be productive and self-compassionate, if you do it in a way that supports your own unique needs.

 

 

2. Honour Your Values

Identify what matters most to you then do what you can to prioritise that.  

I know that may be easier said than done, because life is complicated and we all have responsibilities that demand our attention.

But the more headspace you give to what genuinely holds meaning for you, the more motivated and energised you feel in general. 

And the more ease you invite, because you’re moving towards instead of against what you feel most passionate about.

 

 

3. Honour Your Time

Once you’re clearer on what your body needs and what your values are, of course you’ll want to give more time to these areas. 

But how, when you already have limited time? 

Remember that spending five or ten minutes once a week doing something that honours your body and values is much better than waiting for once or twice a year when you have a full hour to commit. 

Choose one or two easeful adjustments to make to your usual day/week, and start with a few minutes. You’ll be surprised how powerful (and scientifically proven to be effective) this can be.

 

 

So, there you go. 

 

No magic formulas and boot-camp style regimens needed to start your year.

 

Just knowing yourself and honouring who you are in simple, manageable ways that affirm what matters most (which, in case I haven’t quite emphasised it enough, is you).

To get you started with making space for more ease, there are three writing prompts below. 

 

If you’re short on time, you can literally spend three minutes on each prompt. 

 

Trust your intuitive responses. 

 

It’s amazing what you can learn about yourself in under 10 minutes. 

 

 

Most of all, let it be easeful.

WRITING PROMPTS FOR INVITING EASE:

·       What do I need/what does my body need? Why?

·       What do I really care most about? Why?

·       What do I really want to spend more time on? Why?