Make 2022 the year of Living Life YOUR Way

Happy 2022! Over the last few weeks my Inbox has been bombarded with challenges, courses, self-help, diets, fitness, get healthy, ‘New year, New you’ emails all promising to improve my life. I don’t know about you, but it can certainly be overwhelming and there is a feeling of being pressured into making changes which I may or may not want or need.

I’m being told what I should be doing, what I shouldn’t be doing and the latest trend that I ‘just need to try’ or the question ‘Have you chosen your Word of the Year?’

Now, my lovely readers and friends will know that I’m all about living well. I promote living an active and healthy lifestyle. I advocate for Women 50+ to live life and to make goals and go for their dreams. My blog, podcast and social media is all based around living life to the full and making the most of each day. I get where these offers are coming from – but the question I ask myself and I invite you to ask yourself is:

What is right for ME?

Make 2022 the year of Living Life YOUR Way

I invite you to think about what you really want for Yourself in 2022. How will you live your life YOUR way rather than how others are suggesting you should be living life? I’m sharing some ideas on ways you can get started and I’d love to hear your thoughts or ideas as well.

Listen to the Podcast Episode

1. Forget New Year Resolutions

For years I would make New Year Resolutions until I realised that most of us last until mid-January before we give up and I can make any changes in life on any day of the year. I’ve written about why we should Forget New Year Resolutions and take a more long term, holistic view in my post New Year Evolution not Resolutions

2. Write a List and dream big

Over the last few days of each year, I start thinking about what I want from the next year. I start writing a list (mainly so I don’t forget – I can walk from one room to another and forget why I did, so writing a list of what I want from life is a must if I want to remember!). It is also a good way to have your thoughts together in one list and tick them off as you do them, add to the list throughout the year or push items on the list back depending on what life is throwing at you.

Kikki K says to ‘dream big’ and why shouldn’t we? Make sure your list includes some of your dreams.

3. Focus on 1 thing – prioritise

Once you have your list, don’t try to tick off all the items by the end of January. Prioritise your list and focus on one item at a time. You won’t become overwhelmed or over-committed but you will see results each month.

4. Don’t be pushed into something you don’t want to do

It is so easy to get caught up with all the hype or do things because we feel guilty. Make 2022 the year you can say ‘No’ without the guilt and ‘Yes’ without the pressure and because you want to.

5. Carve out 10 minutes a day to work on your ‘project’

If you do have a dream, a goal or a habit you want to change make it your ‘project’ and devote 10 minutes each day to work on making it happen. For me, the mornings are best. I wake early before Mr M, the house is quiet and I can think and plan without distraction.

6. Surround yourself with energy givers not energy drainers

In 2021 I talked a lot about Where are you placing your energy? and it is a philosphy I’ve tried to live by this year and also continue into 2022. Surround yourself with those people and things that fill you with joy and energy. Let go of the ‘energy drainers’ no matter how difficult this is to do, you will benefit by not having those things or people in your life to continually drag you down and deplete your energy reserves.

7. Create boundaries – You make the rules but you also need commitment

This follows on from point 4. You make the rules for what you want from life. That means creating boundaries for yourself and also making a commitment to yourself and what you need to live well.

8. Don’t compare

The comparison trap will derail you living life your way. It is so easy to compare ourselves to others and feel inadequate. Remember, the lives on social media may not be ‘real life’. You are unique, there is no one like you – now that’s special!

9. Find Fun and Smile More

The last couple of years has certainly not been fun for many but we all need Fun in our life. Make 2022 the year that you find fun again and smile more. Scientific studies have shown that Smiling can trick your mind into feeling happier, reduce stress and anxiety.

10. Believe in yourself! Trust yourself

Be Courageous enough to follow your dreams and not worry about what others think or say. You have the power within – believe in yourself, trust yourself and go for it! What have you really got to lose? What will you gain? Think about that.

My Word of the Year?

Will I have one? Over the last few years my WOTY has included:

• 2016 I wanted to find more BALANCE in my life.
• 2017 I wanted to SIMPLIFY.
• 2018 I wanted to THRIVE and in
• 2019 I chose two words – COMMIT AND EVOLVE.
• 2020 I chose a statement – MAKE IT HAPPEN
• 2021 I chose to put the focus on SELF and where I was placing my energy ‘I needed to embrace my SELF and live my life with the focus of keeping what SERVES me WELL and LETTING GO of what is holding me back and making me feel trapped in life‘

I’m still mulling over a couple of words for 2022 maybe I’ll have a WOTY and maybe I won’t. There is no rule that says you have to select one to be fulfilled and happy – it is your choice.

Will you make 2022 the year of living life YOUR way? Do you have a dream you want to make a reality? I’d love to hear your thoughts.