Five simple exercises for a brighter 2021
As this crazy year comes to an end, after a very slow and simultaneously very fast passage of time, a new year can be bewildering. With continued uncertainty, try remembering Marcus Aurelius’ famous words: “External things are not the problem. It’s your assessment of them.” During a pandemic, especially during a pandemic, it is helpful to channel our inner stoic and remind ourselves what we can change and what we can't.
Thoreau urged: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined”. And whilst some of our more external dreams may be temporarily paused, or changed, we can live a life we imagined in more ways than we might think. He continues: “Our life is frittered away by detail... simplify, simplify… As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.”
Simplification is almost always within our control, whatever the external circumstances. We can choose how we react to things that aren’t in our control, and we can simplify the things that are within our control. Here are some simple 5 minute exercises you can do instead of New Years Resolutions, or you can join us on 26th January for our alternative New Years Workshop - which is designed all around tapping into our hidden and forgotten passions for a more joyful 2021.
Find WHAT GIVES YOU energy
Think of 3-5 moments of 2020 you truly enjoyed. They can be very simple. Maybe it’s a great meal, a conversation with a friend. If you have the time, think about why they made you feel great. Is there a theme?
2. KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID
Ask yourself two very simple questions: What do I want less of in 2021? What do I want more of? This can be anything that comes to mind and try to keep it really simple. What makes you feel good, and what makes you feel worse? Try to end up with 3 points each.
3. FOCUS ON WHAT REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Ask yourself: instead of lots of well planned resolutions and goals, what is one thing I can do regularly that will make me feel good? Even if it feels unnatural, try to discipline yourself to just one thing. For example, meditation, exercise, calling friends. Stick to it.
4. Give yourself a mantra
Give yourself one word of the year. What is one thing you would like to do? It should be a verb - eg. a call to action. It should also be a response to something you did too much of in 2020. e.g. if you stressed too much it might be ‘accept’, or if you took everything too seriously it could be ‘play’. Write this down.
5. WRITE DOWN HOW YOU WOULD LOVE TO SPEND YOUR TIME
This one takes a little more time and explanation, which is why we’re teaming up with Mend for this workshop on it, but if you have the time - write a list of all of the things you’d love to do with your time in an ideal world. This exercise gets you a lot closer to dreaming, and understanding all the activities and projects you’re secretly saving for ‘one day’ and can get you closer to what you love to do.
Here’s to a fulfilling 2021. If you’d like to join us for a new years workshop, we have limited tickets here.