Hello 2024 !
I thought it best to start the year with a personal update. What my plans are, what I’m working on mindset-wise, how I plan the year ahead ~ all while taking into account my perfectionist mindset that comes along for the ride.
How I’ve started the year
1:1 EFT session (brand new experience for me) to push me out of my comfort zone. I’m not pushing EFT, I’m still a newbie, but I am enjoying learning more about myself through this technique. Definitely something to check out if you are at all curious and want to step outside of your own comfort zone (this is who I’m working with).
Take-aways:
Different phases of my life will require creating new identities (often beginning with an identity crisis), therefore being uncertain of my identity right now isn’t a bad thing per se.
EFT unlocks new/different wisdom for me, maybe filtering out my super logical thinking brain, accessing a more intuitive side? (hello woo-woo Mags)
Following my feelings allows me to have energy (energizing!) and ignoring my feelings/going against them leads to burnout (exhaustion!).
Don’t know where to go? Follow my feelings.
Currently reading…
How To Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey (more book reviews/recommendations coming this year). I’m resonating big-time with the philosophy he presents about stimulation vs. engagement. When I finish the book and start incorporating some of the teachings into my life you bet I will be sharing more…
2024 Vision
2023 focused on others. I sacrificed my time, energy and space (mostly unknowingly at the time).. So this year I’m focusing on ME. My friend Laura even suggested my motto could be about being selfish this year (eek that makes me feel shame..).
I’m documenting the little (& big) things. Snapping many pictures and planning to put them in an album/journal of sorts. I’m currently working on my 2023 version now.
This allows me to be more intentional and reminds me to appreciate things in the moment (as I’m snapping a pic).
Savoring memories and reminiscing gets me out of the comparison trap, I have a record of my great memories instead of just being shown/told of everyone else’s.
Counteracting negativity bias - I have a tendency to remember the bad, and discount the good. So by putting emphasis on the good it balances out more accurately.
These pictures I’m snapping aren’t to share publicly, my aim is not to boast online about any of these moments (gateway to comparison trap) but for my own use and to look back on. They are getting printed and documented scrap-book style!
I’m creating plans to look forward to… I’m making sure that I take time for myself by booking holidays, chunks of time off, and plans with friends. It always feels good for me to have plans on the horizon to look forward to. Reminders of working hard towards something, my values and just pure anticipation.
Habits ~ New & Old
Habits I’m bringing from 2023..
(aka what’s still working well)
Early wake up (I continue to be a morning person)
Journaling daily (& tracking this habit)
Healthy eating (being intentional about planning, snacking and organization)
Hydration (water/electrolytes)
New habits..
(or re-vamped ones)
5 min daily meditation (a past habit I have greatly benefited from)
More exercise (mostly gym based, but Youtube yoga too), ideally daily
Listening to entertainment podcasts (again) vs. just ones to “grow” from/learn from
Probably more to come, but in an effort to not overwhelm myself this is it for now :)
Daily Planning & Monthly Reviews
Daily planning allows me to focus on what I need to do, check in on supporting feelings that I want to feel (i.e. make sure my to-do list compliments this). I feel less robotic, less driven to achieve, more in control day-to-day. While it may take a bit more time vs. efficiently planning farther ahead it’s what is working best for me right now.
Monthly reviews of progress, acknowledging what’s working & not. This is where I make changes and try new tactics. I’m doing my best to write down what I’m doing each day so I have records to look back on.
Seasonal check in on what I’m working towards. Planning what I want from the next season, set some intentions and goals to work towards. Basically a mini version of this 2024 year plan.
A new idea for me…
Consistency vs. Commitment
As a perfectionist I’ve always aimed for consistency… more often than not etc. It’s a great way to get out of “all or nothing thinking” and aim for middle ground. But aiming for consistency isn’t really motivating for me. It is a great analytic to review and reminds me of what I HAVE done, so I’m not completely ditching it.
Commitment on the other hand is motivating - it speaks more to my identity, my values and is something I can believe in. I am a committed person, I value commitment to projects, I believe that I have commitment, etc.
Commitment for me is encouraged + motivated by finding my WHY… I love the approach of a multi-layered “why” for perfectionists. I will definitely share more on this in the coming months.
I can always believe I’m committed (& can re-commit if need be).
Happy New Year in February!
Lastly I want to make a little note on the publishing date.. It’s Feb. For so long I subscribed to the belief that Jan 1st was the only day to plan for the year ahead. But the reality is that the belief that there is a “right” and “wrong” time to start a goal and make plans is our perfectionist mindset running the show. If planning for the new year isn’t your thing, that’s okay too. There isn’t a right/wrong way to start these plans.
Having a slower start to the new year has given me a chance to check in on my goals and plans, make sure they aren’t made in the new year rush/unrealistic frenzy, and make sure they are for me, not “shoulds” that everyone else is aiming for.
January 1st = perfect date… is a MYTH. The first thing we can do this year to go against our perfectionist mindset is to drop that belief. Cheers to February declarations of plans!
