11 gentle alternatives to New Year’s resolutions

I have to admit that I’m not a great lover of New Year’s resolutions, so instead I’d like to share a collection of random and rather lovely things designed to inspire you in the year ahead.

There is no particular order here, so please feel free to think about these ideas in any way you wish. Some may be for you, some not, and that’s fine - there are no rules.

Ideas to inspire you in the year ahead

1. Try your hand at writing

In a world where texts, messages and bite-size bits of information bombard our every waking moment, writing can be very therapeutic and can help you to think more clearly. You may find you can write what you can’t say. Write when the mood takes you and about anything that you care about. A situation, a relationship, an event. Find some quiet time - you know yourself best - early in the morning or late at night; it doesn’t matter. Focus on your thoughts and feelings. What are they telling you? Who could you share it with? Why not treat yourself to a gorgeous journal or notebook and see whether writing is for you?

2. Ditch the lists

I once coached a guy who had a psychological list of things he looked for in a potential partner. Sound familiar? He ditched the list and has now met the love of his life, whose characteristics weren’t on the list in his mind. Amazing! Are you a list junkie? Try ditching those lists, which may be hindering you more than you realise.

3. Small victories

Yes, start learning to break down your experiences into bite-size chunks so that you can get better at seeing the whole picture, and not just a limited view of it. A seemingly bad day can often have some good in it - small victories, as I like to call them. See what difference looking for small victories makes to your everyday life.

4. Learn to do something you love

When was the last time you learned to do something? What would you love to be doing this time next year that you can’t do now?

5. Overcome one fear

Think about how it affects your life, how long it has been going on for and who you could talk to about overcoming it.

6. Invest your time in doing things that give you energy

Do more of the things that give you energy and less of the things that take it away. You’ll be surprised how much you begin to notice about what you’re passionate about and what you’re not.

7. Know when to ask for help

This can be a tough one, and might even be linked to number five - especially for those of you who like to be seen to cope with everything, or have a habit of saying you’re OK even when you’re not. Think about how you might feel if you learned to ask for help or advice. Think about what that could do for you.

8. Begin with the end in mind

A great tip for when you want to plan or achieve something. Break down your goal or wish into stages. Acknowledge your small victories. Look back and see how much progress you’ve made as you go along.

9. Forgive someone who has crossed you

Could you? If you do, reflect on the experience of forgiveness. What does it give you back? What might it free you from?

10. Treat yourself to a magazine subscription

Indulge your imagination, read about people and things that inspire you and look forward to something arriving that you actually want.

11. Try a calming creative activity

Colouring, sketching, crafting or any simple creative activity can help you slow down, focus and feel calmer. Find something that appeals to you and see whether it gives your mind a little more space.

This looks dangerously like a list, doesn’t it? I’d like to think of it as a collection of my thoughts and feelings about things that have worked for my clients and myself, all of which are designed to bring you more of what you deserve in the year ahead. And indeed, beyond.