Six Ways To Start Fresh In The New Year

It’s a new year, and that means it’s time to start fresh, right? As a new year rolls in we all tend to look for opportunities to wipe the proverbial slate clean and start things afresh.

With that being said, the beginning of a new year can sometimes be overwhelming. But there are ways to make the transition into another calendar year feel less like a challenge and more like a new and exciting opportunity.

Here are six simple ways that you can change your outlook and start fresh this year.

How To Start Fresh In The New Year

Clear your schedule.

It can be difficult to start fresh when your calendar, or to-do list is full. By clearing your schedule you’ll be more likely to focus on what’s actually important if there isn’t anything else competing for your time and attention. Just make sure to pencil in some time for yourself so that you don’t start to experience those feelings of overwhelm.

Next, you’ll want to start deleting any and everything that doesn’t bear relevance to who you are now and what your priorities are for 2023. It will also help to create an organized system where things are easy to find and follow up on when needed.

Pick up a new hobby or activity.

This is a pretty simple one. Add some joy to your day to day by taking up a new hobby. Think of something that you’ve always wanted to do, but felt like you just didn’t have the time.

Your new hobby can be anything from gardening to, pottery classes, or learning to play an instrument. Maybe you are not that great of a cook, so you could try a few cooking classes.

It doesn’t even have to cost you any money. You could choose an activity as simple as going outside daily for a quick walk or run while breathing in some fresh air.

There are also plenty of other activities that don’t fall under the umbrella of “hobby” but still give you something refreshingly new to focus on – like reading a few chapters of a book everyday or starting a journal and writing in it a couple of times per week. You’d be surprised what trying out a new activity can do for your mental health!

Clean and declutter your space.

Oh, the dreaded “D” word. But decluttering isn’t a bad thing. The process may not seem like much fun in the beginning, but once it’s done, you’ll be glad you did it. A really good deep clean (sweeping, mopping, dusting, scrubbing – all of that stuff) is such a good way to start the year. And then you can focus on the more important things with a clean slate.

It’s not a new concept that cleaning the outside is just as important as tidying up your inside. From dusting to deep cleaning, cleaning the outside of your home can help you clear out clutter and make room for all of the abundance you want to receive in the new year.

It could also be a great time to re-evaluate what you have in your home and see if there’s anything you need to update or replace. If you don’t know where to start with decluttering your home, check out my blog post here.

Get your physical health on track.

I know, I know – losing weight is always at the top of the goal list for the new year. But getting physically fit is one of the best ways to start your new year. And that’s because when you work out it releases endorphins which help elevate your mood and increase those feelings of happiness.

Exercise also provides better mental clarity and makes you more productive at home and at work. It’s no wonder that exercise is one of the top resolutions in the New Year!

If you don’t want to commit to a gym membership, there are plenty of fitness instructors online or videos that you can watch on YouTube to help you reach your fitness goals.

Create a weekly self-care routine.

Self care is important for a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Let me say that again, self-care is important to your mental, physical and spiritual health. Find the time to get away from the stresses of your day-to-day routine and take some time for yourself. Whether it’s soaking in a warm bath, a fun-filled evening out with your friends, or enjoying your favorite television show, find something that rejuvenates you and makes you happy.

As part of self care, make sure you are taking care of your body by eating healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Nourish your body by choosing foods that will make you feel good and boost your energy.

In addition to eating healthy, make sure that you are getting the proper amount of rest. Sleep has a significant impact on how you feel mentally and physically. Experts recommend that adults get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. I know that is not always feasible, but you should try to get as much sleep as you can at night, and aim for at least 7 hours if possible.

Set Boundaries

Let’s normalize setting personal boundaries this year. Setting healthy boundaries is an important part of taking care of your mental health, and communicating those boundaries is essential to both your relationships and your well-being.

Saying “no” is a complete sentence, and learning to say “no” without any further explanation enables you to clarify with others what they can expect from you and what you are and are not comfortable with.

In a nutshell, boundaries help us feel respected by others while nurturing our mental health.

As the saying goes, old habits die hard. While the new year is often a great motivator for change, it’s important that we recognize that it’s hard to change things overnight. Actually, it’s downright impossible!

Keep this in mind throughout the year and give yourself some grace if you should happen to veer off course. Give yourself a necessary break and know that it’s ok to have an off day or two or three. Take note of what went wrong and refocus on what you want to achieve so that you can get back on track.

Just remember to continually take small steps toward your goals and don’t give up. Every day can be a fresh start and a chance for a new beginning.

Wishing you much success this year.