Bright ideas for the New Year 2022

Like every year end all of us are busy preparing the resolutions to be followed in the New Year. They are the ones you think about on December 31st of that same year, and they are not abstract any more. Why? Because you did something about them. You took action. So how can you move from creating a wish list that might get forgotten when life gets busy, to actually getting proactive about what’s on that list? First, you’re more likely to be proactive if you keep things simple. Don’t just write down a super long list of 100 items. Pick 3 that are very important to you. Or five. Or ten. But always know your top 3.

And second, take a moment as you’re writing your list to think how each item on the list will get you closer to becoming that person you’d like to be. Not just the kind of person (better, more sociable, more successful, more knowledgeable, etc.). Think of the specifics: what kind of achievements would they be proud of, what type of lifestyle would they have, which kind of company would they keep, which relationships would they be enjoying, which things would they devote their time and energy to. All of it.

And which New Year’s resolutions could help you get closer to that future you? Make the time to do one thing that you love but never have the time for. Let’s face it, life is just going to get busier and busier, and you won’t find extra pockets of time with less responsibilities just around the corner. Besides, the biggest benefit to doing your thing is that it makes you feel good. Use that as a motivator to start. Use any excuse to laugh. Why? Because laughter keeps you in touch with your child self. It helps you to produce endorphins, your happy hormones. And there’s never too much of it. Watch a comedy, tell funny stories to your friends, be silly whenever you get the chance. Laugh out loud and so hard that your stomach hurts from it!

Work on developing one habit or skill that will get you closer to a personal goal. You probably already know what it is, but you’re also good at procrastinating (you and everyone else; we’re pros at it!). Think of it this way: when you start working on this habit or skill, whether it’s learning a new language or eating one healthy meal a day, you’re immediately investing in your future. Now that’s smart. Listen to yourself more. Because, even though it sounds logical, we rarely do. We let the constant chatter of external forces drown our voice. That goes for people around us, from neighbors to family to co-workers and even friends. But nobody knows what’s in your mind and your heart, not really, except you. Listen to your inner voice, respect it, honor it, and give it some space to be heard.

Read more. Not just whatever you see online, or on Twitter or Facebook or Reddit. Read books. Read about world history, mythology, geography, art. Read biographies of smart people, powerful people, warriors, unique individuals who shaped history. Read a literary classic: a book by Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Hemingway, Twain, Shakespeare, Kafka, Marquez, Camus, Balzac. Read to learn, to experience, to understand more about the world and about human nature. Say thank you every day for 3 small things you have in your life right now. It will shift your perspective from focusing on the negatives and what you feel you’re lacking in to the positive things that can make life more meaningful to you on a daily basis. And it’s not about material possessions; think about the small things, like having a warm meal at the end of the day or having a close friend to share good moments with.

Invest in one important friendship. You might have hundreds of friends on your social media accounts, and dozens of friends from school or college. But the real value isn’t in the numbers; it’s in maintaining a true friendship with one person who you love, learning from, trust, and respect. Nurture that friendship whenever you can. Be there for one another, not just to celebrate the good times but also to divide up the tough times (because it will make life feel lighter). That’s another smart investment in your future.

Sleep more. Staying up all night will happen on occasion, and there will be valid reasons for it: preparing for an exam, reading a riveting book, or just not being able to fall asleep due to stress of upcoming important life events. Do whatever you can to not make this a habit. Your brain functions so much better when it’s well rested. So take care of it by letting it unwind and have time to process all that information you’re feeding it during the day. Try something that intimidates you, scares, you, and that you know absolutely nothing about. Because the feeling of learning something new, conquering a fear that’s been nagging at you for years, and gaining knowledge in something you never thought was even possible for you to try is such a powerful thing. It’s a game changer. If you do that, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world.

Hit the pause button on life and give yourself some space to dream. On the bus or train to work. Walking home from school. Staring out the window from your desk at home. Riding your bike in the afternoon. Lying on your bed, or sprawled on the couch, or standing on the seashore looking at the surface of the water and the reflection of clouds, and birds, and large stretches of blue. Let your mind wander. Let your ideas come to the surface. Or just be. It’s these moments where you can really feel that you are right here, this very minute. And that minute is priceless.

Obviously, we want those drool-worthy abs and toned legs, and want to be fit enough to trek 40 km without getting tired, but do we work for that? If yes, you are praiseworthy. If not, then this could be your first resolution. Health is something we take for granted and find it a Herculean task to even allocate 60 minutes for exercise or eat healthily. You needn't work rigorously to achieve it, it just asks for baby steps. Switch incessant binging with a controlled diet and seep in some time for exercise. And mind you, exercise doesn't need to be boring or monotonous, you could simply indulge in activities you love or pick up a sport you enjoy.

Managing your finances well. In the battle between saving money and that purchase that has no utility the latter would win. So this year you could devise a method that lets you save money as well as spend on stuff you like. The ideal rule is 50-20-30, wherein 50% of the salary is utilized for essential stuff, 20% is for splurging, and 30% goes into saving. I know following this is tough, but try, and trust me once you achieve it, you shall feel empowered.

Learning something new. You needn't upgrade your skillset by taking up extreme steps. You needn't learn scuba diving or mountaineering to achieve it. It could be as simple as learning a new Mexican dish or origami. Whatever you had been planning to learn, this new year, try allocating 30 minutes every day in learning something new. I will do yoga and meditation daily, daily means daily. Especially kapal bhati and anulom vilom pranayam, it releases 95% problems of our body. Daily wake up at 6:00 am and have two glasses of lukewarm water

Keep silent for at least 1 hour during morning, during yoga and exercises. Helping my mom in their household work especially in morning. Have healthy and heavy Breakfast. Drink of at least 10 glasses of water in a day. Brush teeth twice a day not only once. Stop comparing myself with others. Praying in front of God and chanting prayers for our better well being. Stop giving free advices to others. Try to write better posts and article on social media. Wish you all a very Happy New Year 2022. Cheers!