3 Ways to Relax & Reflect This Holiday Season

As we head into the beginning of a new year, most people I know are making new year resolutions. It seems life is getting faster and faster, and the never ending list of things to do keeps getting bigger.

But before you commit to doing more, it’s important to take time for yourself in this holiday break, and reflect on all you have achieved. After all, acknowledging yourself and celebrating how far you have come is all part of a life well lived. If you feel like you are always busy, here are three ways you can slow down and savour moments.

1. Look at the photos on your phone.

If you are like me, there will be a whole lot of them. I spent time last week at a photo kiosk printing pictures off my phone to send to relatives overseas and interstate for Christmas. By going back over all my pictures for 2018, I realised just how many amazing things I have done – especially with my family. In fact, I was damn impressed by how much fun I had packed in! While it does not feel like that on a day-to-day basis, as you are busy making things happen, by looking back at your photo roll you can really appreciate just how far you have come in a year and who has really mattered.

2. Pick one thing you are proud of that have done, then acknowledge it to others.

So often we are hard on ourselves, focusing on what we have not done, have yet to achieve or have done badly. By consciously forcing yourself to acknowledge something you are proud of, you help change your mindset to a more positive one – which in turn creates more energy for you to achieve more things you are proud of. Mindset is crucial to keeping your energy levels high.

3. Be intentional about who you spend your time with.

While the holidays are notorious for having to spread time between families and functions, you need to intentionally diarise time with people that are important to you. It can be as simple as a drink with a friend, but you need things and people to look forward to. Good relationships give meaning to life. They also make you value all you have. Whether it be a movie with one of your kids (one-on-one time is hard to find but is so important) or a golf game with your dad, schedule in someone who means a lot and focus on them. You won’t regret it.

I’d like to thank you all for your support and time in the past year, I very much appreciate it. With my first book, The Breakfast Club for 40 Somethings launching, I was very excited to see it hit the Top 10 Money Books sold in Australia in 2018. This could not happen without many of you supporting my message and being part of the community.

Have a wonderful New Years and remember to invest in yourself.

Here’s to 2019 being another big one!

Until next time,