Welcome to a new year for us to create, play, explore, and learn. I remember over 20 years ago,
December 31st, 1999, when we were questioning whether or not the world would explode, or if the
computers would crash, or if a meteor would hit us as we entered the new Millenium. Yet, here we
are, 23 years later, thriving, advancing, and prospering.
Stepping into 2023, after a period of turmoil, uncertainty, and fear, you may find yourself in a bigger season of challenge or change, you may find your health is mediocre or your career is not advancing as you'd like. Or maybe you have just had the most joyful, successful year, or decade of your life. It doesn't matter how you are entering this new year - what matters is how you choose to live it.
Here are my top 10 tips you can live better this year:
1. Forgive the Past. What happened yesterday is irrelevant because you can't change it.
Stop beating yourself up, feeling regret, or being sad about something that is already done.
Move forward with the deliberate intention of living a more joyful life.
2. Move Every Day. The scientific evidence confirming that exercise improves your physical
and mental health is indisputable. Use a step tracker, take a class or hire a trainer. The options
are endless giving you zero excuses to get moving. Fitness does a body (and mind) good.
3. Get Creative. Knitting, dancing, painting, repurposing, or journaling. Anything that gets the
creative juices flowing has been shown to increase happiness, reduce dementia, boost your
immune system and increase productivity.
4. Socialize. Meet a friend for coffee, host a poker night, or go bowling. Try a new restaurant in
town or go for a walk in the park. Get off the couch and get out into the world. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at what and who you find!
5. Learn. Anytime we learn, we grow and when we grow we thrive. Take a cooking class, watch
a YouTube video or learn whatever piques your interest. The local Public Library
offers many free programs for all age groups and your library membership includes some
amazing perks for online learning.
6. Eliminate Excess. Get rid of unused paid subscriptions and memberships you’re not using.
Unload 25 things from your home that you haven’t used or worn in over a year. When we
remove clutter, we make room for opportunity.
7. Focus. We all have big, beautiful goals and dreams. Unfortunately, many times we sacrifice
our vision of the future for immediate gratification. Make this decade about focusing on what you
want most rather than what you want now. When you stop choosing convenience over
consistency, you will be amazed at the benefits.
8. Out with the Outrage. The world we live in can be cruel, unfair, and downright scary. That
being said, we are living in the most incredible time. There is more opportunity, acceptance, and
available resources than ever before. Change the way you react to the world, choose to focus
on the good, turn off the news, be with positive people, spread kindness around like confetti and
choose to take part in all the incredible things life has to offer.
9. Give. Whether it’s your time or your dime, give to the less fortunate, to those in need, to the
sick, to your neighbor, to a local charity, or to a fundraiser.
10. Smile. Even if you feel down, studies show that when we smile, we lift our own mood
and the mood of those around us. Smiling is a sure and simple way to ensure a better day.