When we start the New Year a lot of focus is on setting new intentions for the year to come.  These intentions or goals often focus on new aspirations full steam ahead taking us to the next level of our best. While formulating these intentions we can very quickly go from working toward a betterment of ourselves to a rather negative side. This negative side is where our intentions stop being helpful and beneficial and start getting into self-judging deprecating goals. 

We begin to want to right our perceived flaws while soliciting a whole host of self-judgments to form our New Years intentions. We stop focusing on intentions and start focusing on being perfect. I know I have this list of imperfections rather than intentions.  What I think I should do in my life, which never ends. Who I should be as a professional, a family member, as a person? How I should look? This list will never be accomplished. My list becomes unattainable. What I think is a list of my intentions is actually a list of imperfections masquerading as intentions. Rather where should you and possibly I then begin this New Year?

 

I think we should put a new spin on the New Year by focusing on LETTING GO. What is it that we need to let go of to ring in the New Year? What perceived or real thoughts, issues, obstacles, judgments and the like do we need to let go of to bring in the New Year with a fresh start and fresh eyes? To really move forward into 2016 where are we holding ourselves back? 

T ake a shoe box or some similar box and begin to write down your self-judgments, these beliefs about yourself that are holding you back from becoming the person you want to be. Put those in the box. Think of what resentments you have toward others or yourself and put those in the box. Actions you took in 2015 that you didn't particularly like about yourself or wanted to do differently put those in the box. Everything in the box LET IT GO! 

I know it isn't a magic fix and that just by putting them in the box that they wont disappear or that it means these events or actions didn't happen. But cut yourself a break, you can be your own worst limiter.

 

Be kind to yourself as you ring in 2016. I know I am going to try and try hard. I would much rather start a new year with letting go of my baggage and start as fresh as possible with positive thoughts of myself and those in my life. 

Ring in 2016 with an attitude of gratitude. Intentions can arise for 2016, but the best place for them to arise is while you are in an attitude of gratitude, acceptance, patience and peace.

 

Stressed Teens Wishes You and Your Loved Ones a Peaceful, Happy and Healthy New Year!

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