22 Dec 2019

Sometimes a year isn't too red hot. You're bombarded with avalanches of crap, crap and oh look at that, more crap.

If you've been frazzled, overwhelmed, stressed, dazed and confused, here are seven ways to end your year on a high in seven days. 

1. Appreciate

Stop dwelling on the crap. Stop living in the past or the future.

Sure, easier said than done right? The best way to focus on the positives in life is to find some gratitude.

Take a moment every day to think, say or write down what you're appreciative of. This may sound wanky but for real, appreciate your fam, your mates, the fact that your body works... Appreciate the weather, the good coffee you had, good music, your bus coming on time, finding two dollars on the ground...

2. Make some goals

I know I know, New Years Resolutions are overrated nowadays. But making goals and having dreams is fuuuun.

Aspire to learn an instrument, open a business, start a blog, write a book, get healthier, learn to surf... The world is your oyster so get out there!

Write some goals down and dare to dream big baby.

As the author of 'The Magic of Thinking Big' by David J. Schwartz said; “Believe it can be done. When you believe something can be done, really believe, your mind will find the ways to do it. Believing a solution paves the way to solution.” Dream, believe and receive. 

3. Read

Speaking of books, let's get reading! In this modern world abundant of technology and social media, books aren't picked up as much as they used to. But come on, there is nothing better than reading a good book. Escape reality with a fantasy story, get whipped on a crime novel, get inspired... 

4. Find a new or old hobby

Wipe off those cobwebs on your guitar and blow away the dust on your surfboard. Find that thing you used to love to do or find a new hobby.

Have you always wanted to skate? Bake? Mosaic? Give it a go! Write some poems. Paint a self-portrait. Spend some time mucking around because that's what life should be about! Mucking around. Don't take it too seriously, just have fun.

5. Get rid of what doesn't serve you

Toxic friends? Bad habits? Junk in your room? What negativity has been plaguing you for the year? 

Leave your toxic mates behind. Stop eating junk food and switch it up for some veggies once in a while. Do a massive clean of your room and throw out/donate things that you just don't need. Declutter your life to declutter your mind.

I know, this probably isn't something that can be done in 7 days, but now is a good time to start.

6. Stop complaining

Whether you believe in Buddha or not, a killer quote from him is "What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create." 

If you are always playing the victim, constantly negging out, complaining about all the things coming apart in your life, it will probably keep happening.

We all want to choose happiness and duh, it's pretty ignorant for someone to say "Just be happy". But at least trying to appreciate the good things and stop being so negative is a start. Don't talk smack about people or compare yourselves to others. Focus on the silver lining.

Life doesn't show mercy to any of us. We all feel life's wrath one way or another. Life is a rollercoaster for us all. Some just keep a smile on during the ride.

Paulo Coelho once said, "We don’t choose the things that happen to us, but we can choose how we react to them."

So choose happiness! 

7. Have a g time

Prioritise doing what you love to do with people you love. Spend a day hanging with your mates on the beach. Go out to dinner with the 'rents. Take your siblings to flick. Christopher McCandless once said, "Happiness is only real when shared." So go share it.