New Year's resolutions often start with good intentions and the need for change. Unfortunately, they often fall to the wayside.
How does it happen? Life gets in the way, in short. We get busy; we question how we're spending our time. A lot of time, a little bit of gentleness with ourselves goes a long way and would do a lot to seeing our resolutions continue on throughout the year.
Make the idea of something new in the new year a little less intimidating by choosing to focus on gratitude instead. Instead of the task of learning or changing, it's work that's about opening up and realizing. It doesn't require you to do as much as it requires you to understand. If you're interested in doing that work, here are some more-specific "resolutions" that will help you along the way.
Make a Gratitude Jar
It takes just seconds of your day to think of one thing you are grateful for in it. It's a perfect, simple exercise for a busy mom, and also one you can get the whole family in on with their own jars. At the end of the year, you'll have a lot to reflect on, and noticing things you're grateful for will come more easily.
Start Journaling
The definition of how your gratitude journal works can be as filled with rules or pared down to the abstract as you like it. Doodle, write, collage, what have you about the things you're grateful for. Make observations about the relationship with gratitude that the people around you have cultivated, and think of what you can learn.
Reach Out to Those You Are Grateful For
On New Year's Day, make a list of the people in your life you're grateful for. Then do what you can to reach out to them throughout the year. Send a text, a letter, or email; make a phone call. You'll be surprised at how much more connected and grateful you'll feel.
Work Within Your Community
One way to cultivate gratitude is to make yourself aware of what you have that others do not. Sure, that's not the entirety of how gratitude works, but giving back while getting a deeper understanding of what you have is truly fulfilling.
Get Outside
Nature has a way of connecting us with the bigger meaning of things. Dedicating time to taking a walk, a hike, or a bike ride in a space completely different from where your day-to-day transpires can make a huge difference in your perspective. It can also help you regain a sense of wonder that's important to gratitude.
Meditate on Your Gratitude
There are a lot of different ways to practice meditation, but it all starts with setting aside the time. Once you get into the practice, you can focus your thoughts and intentions on gratitude. What are you grateful for? What are you working on showing your gratitude for? Focus your meditations on these subjects, and give yourself time to ruminate on your relationship with gratitude.
