Your Mindful Year

A client of mine had some serious financial issues that were affecting virtually every area of her life, with a job she felt stuck in, the stressed relationships with her husband and children, and most important, her feelings of lack of self-worth.  Every time she even thought about taking a positive step forward, she became paralyzed with shame and overwhelm.

I asked her what was the one thing she wanted more of in her life.  She immediately lit up and said “Freedom, I want more freedom”.  After knowing that, we talked about how she could use the theme Freedom to create her mindful year.  Every time she needs to make a phone call, search a box for statements, or revisit less than ideal past financial decisions, she says the word Freedom.  She focuses on the Freedom she wants, instead of the familiar procrastination and anxiety around her finances she doesn’t want.  Freedom is a positive and meaningful theme supporting her to move forward and take action.

To create Your Mindful Year, ask yourself, What do I want more of in my life?  Then select a theme from my list or identify one of your own that has heart and meaning for you.

After you choose your theme, practice mindfulness around it for at least 5 minutes a day with meditation, deep breathing, journaling, inspirational reading, yoga poses, or any combination. You can also write out your theme and place it in different areas of your home or office, or create an entire vision board with meaningful pictures, words, and phrases. Other options include taking mindfulness classes, one on one coaching, or going on a retreat by yourself or with a group, all supporting you to focus on your theme.

Whatever you choose to focus on, to be more mindful about, will expand. Instead of creating self-limiting resolutions, why not choose a theme that gets you excited and moving in the right direction? Mindfulness is so much more valuable and positive than a resolution because we focus on the right here, right now, instead of the future outcome. As always, I would love to hear all about how you create Your Mindful Year.