How are you? Maybe you’re one of the fortunate few who have escaped the abundance of colds that are doing the rounds? If not then I feel for you after having a bug that, for a couple of weeks, left me shattered every time I climbed the stairs and doing a great impression of a homing pigeon every time left my house!
It’s been a while since I written to you. We can all be inundated with pressures and distractions on our time and I decided a while back that I’d only be in touch when I felt I had something worth sharing and you might find interesting. This time round I want to share with you a short, fun and useful activity that works well as one year finishes and another begins.
A few years ago, I used to suggest having a Word for the Year – remember that? People told me how useful they found it and over the years I’ve developed it and now call it Looking Back and Stepping Forwards. I know it’s not the most original name though it does what it says on the tin 😊.
It takes about 15 minutes minimum, though you can take a long as you like, and you can do it with a group of trusted friends and family or on your own. Trusted means they will support you rather than ridicule 😉. I’m doing mine with friends on Boxing Day.
Looking Back and Stepping Forwards
- Get a piece of A4 paper – you can use your device although I think it’s less fun.
- If others are taking part each person has their own piece of paper.
- There are no right or wrong answers. There are only your answers though write affirmations for Stepping Forwards – I don’t want to be ill becomes I want to be well.
Divide the page into two sections – Looking Back at the top and Stepping Forwards about ½ way down.- Complete Looking Back
- Choose 3 words to describe your past year.
- If someone wrote a book about your past year what would be it’s title?
- What do you want to let go of, forgive or say goodbye to from 2022?
- Complete Stepping Forwards
- Choose 3 words to describe you and how you want to be in 2023.
- If someone wrote a book about your 2023 what would be it’s title?
- What do you want to embrace, achieve or accomplish in 2023?
- Fold the paper in half so only Stepping Forwards is showing and find somewhere to put it so you can see it daily until the end of January 2023 – I put mine on a notice board by my desk. Others have it on a mirror or on the inside of a wardrobe door they open everyday. You decide.
- On 1st February 2023 fold the paper and put it away somewhere safe. Maybe take a photo incase you forget where you put it. 😉
- In my December 2023 newsletter I’ll remind you to open the piece of paper and you can see how 2023 turned out.
I’m interested in what people come up with and if you want to share your results take a copy and send it to me.
Over the years I have learnt that the time between New Year and spring can feel very hard going with our lower energy levels and its useful to have a small term winter habit to focus on – no matter how silly or small it seems. It gives me a focus and each time I do it I get a buzz of achievement.
It’ll be no surprise after my last newsletter that my habit involves the sea! After the success of going into the sea with a wetsuit all last winter, this year I’ve set myself the goal of going for a weekly sea dip/swim all winter without a wetsuit. Its not about having anything to prove to anyone, and that includes myself, and I know it sounds ridiculous, even completely barmy, and perhaps, on some level, it is.
Most of us though do things others don’t understand or want to do and whenever that’s the case I’m reminded of the expression ‘Those that understand know and you don’t need to explain it to; and those that don’t never will so save your breath’.
The reason I’m doing it is because I love it. The whole experience. Before, during and afterwards. Of course I’m saying that now and there’s a few months before things get warmer! I’ll let you know how I get on.
And when/if when you decide on your own short term winter habit chose something that you are going to love every time you do it.
2023 is already feeling exciting with events and activities to look forward to. I’m part of a retreat in Mallorca and another in the South of France and my first ever online workshop goes live in March. Then there’s a few overseas ½ marathons and who knows what else and that fascinates me. Not knowing.
I wish you and those you love a fantastic time over the festivities and a happy, healthy and fulfilling 2023.
Till next time…
