Some things to do before 2021 is up

At this time of year, with a diary full of festivities and January just around the corner, it’s oh so easy to put things off until the new year. And while I think we all deserve to loosen up the reins and lean into the festive spirit (Christmas comes but once a year, after all), I’m also a big believer that taking care of some key things now can make all the difference to how you’ll feel come January 1st.

And so that’s exactly what I want to share with you today - a couple of practical actions and things to do before the year is up, so that you can get 2022 off to a flying start. Enjoy!

Buy a new diary or calendar and plot your plans

While I can get on board with a digital calendar for my day to day coaching appointments, I think there’s something really special about opening up a brand new paper diary or calendar at this time of year and starting to see what shape the new year might take for you.

Write down any social commitments (weddings, birthdays, etc) you’ve already agreed to, and then start to think about what else you might like to do for fun, too. By taking some time to consider when you might like to take a holiday, or what time you want to carve out just for you now, you’ll be able to do a better job of protecting that time as we head into 2022 and our diaries start to fill up. 

Have a declutter and pass things on to people in need

One of the things I do each and every December is have a big old clearout. I empty my wardrobe, sort through my drawers, and tackle *that* cupboard that always becomes a bit of a dumping ground (we all have one, don’t we?).

Not only does it free up lots of physical space at home, which is always handy before Christmas, but it also means that I can donate whatever I don’t need to people who really do. I take toiletries and beauty products to the local women’s refuge, donate books to charity shops, and give any jumpers or warm clothing to a homeless charity in Leeds. 

Practice gratitude for 2021

As we hurtle through December, it’s only natural that we start to reflect on the year gone by. Our brains tend to automatically jump to thinking about what we’ve achieved, or what progress we want to make next year, but I’d like to encourage you to start with gratitude.

Take out a big piece of paper and write down all of the things - big and small - that you’re feeling grateful for this year. Remember that this isn’t about trying to impress anybody else, it’s just about feeling thankful for all of the things that have brought you joy in 2021. Starting with gratitude will help you stay rooted in all of the positives of the year, and it will also remind you what you’d like more of in 2022. 

Start thinking about how you want 2022 to feel

Which leads me nicely on to my next point - start to think about how you want 2022 to feel. So often we start with specific goals or resolutions, but by starting with how you want the year ahead to feel, you’ll set goals that feel more intentional and aligned to your values.

A good place to start might be to sum up how 2021 has felt in 3 words, and then think about how you’d like next year to feel in contrast. Personally, I want 2022 to feel grounded, nourishing and of course, joyful!

Test drive any new habits

Hands up if you’ve ever started the new year with a list as long as your arm of new habits that you want to implement? Hands up again if you struggle to make it past the middle of January without abandoning those new habits altogether?

You’re not alone - I’ve got both hands firmly in the air! I think the reason why we so often fail is because we’re trying to implement brand new habits that we’ve never tried before, which means that we have no idea how they’ll fit into our lives. So in the next few weeks, give any new habits that you’d like to adopt a test drive. Try out that exercise class, experiment with some new recipes, or give that morning routine a whirl - it’ll set you up for a much more successful January!

Plan something fun for January

Finally, spend some time over the next few weeks planning something fun for January. It could be a dinner date with friends, a small trip, or simply a weekend spent enjoying your local city, but having something to look forward to will really help you to ride out those January blues. Think of it as an act of self care for future you.