3 Ways to Relax & Reflect This Holiday Season

Author: Vanessa Stoykov
Category: Financial Freedom

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,

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Each day I wake up excited to inspire everyday people to open up and take control of their money, regardless of their history, goals, or savings amount. About Vanessa >>

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Authors

Vanessa Stoykov

Vanessa has been passionate about writing and storytelling since her days of hiding under the doona with her torch to read after bedtime.
Kathy Skantzos

Kathy is a yoga-loving world traveller who also happens to moonlight as a business journalist and writer. She was the finance editor of news.com.au and the Managing Editor of CEO Magazine (Asia) before joining Vanessa and the evo squad.
Shayne Sommer

Shayne is second dan black belt in karate, and a budding romance writer with a difference. Why? Because she writes romance stories that always have a money lesson.
Antoinette Colbran

Specialising in stories for 50+ women, Antoinette draws from her own experiences to help other women avoid the pitfalls and see the benefits of understanding their money situation.
Michael Crooks

Michael Crooks is a more than 20 year writer and documentary maker who has worked with Time Inc and the BBC, who wants to expose the truth from real victims of financial crime to help others avoid their mistakes.
Kim Payne

Kim Payne has spent the past three decades as a speaker, trainer, business coach, and consultant in financial services. She has worked with and transformed hundreds of brilliant, educated, high achievers who are chronically under-living.
Rebecca Pritchard

Rebecca Pritchard is on a mission to help men and women achieve equality when growing a family.
Antony Perring

Ant is a writer, designer and business builder with a love of food, design and good living. He writes on food and money in an easy to do way.
Julie Hyde

Julie Hyde is a leader of leaders. A disruptor and a powerful people enabler who empowers leaders to make big things happen.
Joshua Pennell

As a Dad to four kids and a business owner, Josh is passionate about family and finances and is known as The Family Finance Guy.
Sid Lal

Sid is a serial entrepreneur who set up his first business when he was still in University. Since 2009 he has been heading Bruce Clay, first in India & more recently in Australia.
Lou Johnson

Lou Johnson believes in the power of sharing stories to build empathy, understanding and connection. Growing up surrounded by books and storytelling, alongside her drive to make a difference led her to a highly successful career in book publishing.
David Rae

Dave is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and has been a financial adviser since 2003. He works with a range of clients and has a strong focus on ethical and sustainable investing.
Natallia Smith

Natallia specializes in assisting pre-retiree single women—whether they are never married, widowed, separated, or divorced—understanding deeply the importance of financial stability during life's pivotal moments such as separation, divorce, retirement, and the loss of a loved one.
Mark Hoy

With over 15 years of experience in financial services, Mark established Wollemi Wealth Management in 2013. His business is built almost entirely on referrals and word of mouth — a testament to the trust, integrity, and long-term relationships he forms with his clients.
Derek Gascoigne

Derek Gascoigne is the State Manager for UniSuper Advice in Victoria and Tasmania. Derek has been with UniSuper for over 15 years, and his career in superannuation and financial services spans 27 years and counting.
Annika Bradley

Annika Bradley is Head of Advice Strategy, Research & Technical at UniSuper. She brings over 20 years of experience across investments and wealth management in both the public and private sectors.
Wayne Leggett

Wayne has been a recipient of numerous industry awards and was one of the first to qualify as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). He has been heavily involved in industry affairs at the highest level, including serving as national president of the Association of Financial Advisers (now FAAA).
Conrad Francis

Conrad Francis is the Founding Director of Inspired Money, a Perth-based financial coaching and financial planning, mortgage broking and money coaching firm he established in 2011.
Andrew Beks

Andrew Beks is a Chartered Accountant and the founder of Simplified Business and Accounting.