ELEVATE YOUR NEW YEAR TO BE MORE RESONANCE WITH THIS APPROACH

 

Elevate Your New Year - 
Photo by Matheus Bertelli: https://www.pexels.com

Happy New Year, folks! 

As we step into the beginning chapter of the year, I wish 2025 will be a year that’s overflowing with love, joy, and prosperity for us all. Anywho, how excited are you to embrace this fresh start? I know, I do! I’m brimming with anticipation, and here I’m sharing my approach that has worked so well with me for a couple of years, that I will continue applying this year. 

For years, I treated my New Year’s resolutions as a solitary ritual, a quiet promise made to myself. No one around me ever seemed to talk about their goals, so I assumed this kind of introspection was a private affair, something to be nurtured quietly.

There was a certain shyness, too—a reluctance to admit to others what I hoped for or feared failing at, as if speaking it aloud might jinx it or reveal too much. I’d even read somewhere that keeping your dreams to yourself was wiser, a way to guard their delicate, fledgling form.

Related Article: Don't Rush into New Year's Resolutions - Do This First

But then, I wondered if all that privacy built a wall instead of a bridge. Maybe those quiet resolutions could have flourished more vibrantly in the shared light of encouragement, connection, and accountability.

Recently, I noticed that one of my cousins was very much into self-development topics and we shared quite a number of stories and dreams. It’s so easy, effortless, and even inspiring talking to someone who shares the same interest with you. So, over the past year, my cousin and I have been accountability partners. 

We set aside time at the end of each year to share our reflections while having meals in one of our favorite restaurants. We talk about the moments that shaped us, the lessons we learned, and the highs and lows of the year. It’s a sacred space where we celebrate growth and brace for the challenges ahead.

Last December, when we did it for the second time, we found that this tradition that we build together not only deepens our bond but also reinforces our commitment to personal development. 

When we’ve revisited the year that was, we shift our focus forward. Together, we outline our aspirations and goals for the upcoming year. The process isn’t about scrutinizing each detail as some dreams are best cherished privately. Instead, it’s a general mapping of what we hope to achieve and how we could support each other.

What made this year’s conversation even more exciting was discovering that we had set a shared goal. There’s something undeniably empowering about tackling a dream in tandem with someone who together walks the same path with you, making your journey less alone.

Speaking of goals, I totally agree that goals give us direction and a sense of purpose. However, I realized a few years ago that something was missing. Somehow, in December 2021, I found a note in my journal that I didn’t write a goal statement for 2022. Instead, I focus on the energy that I wanted to embody that year.

And as I reviewed my journal, I could see evidence on how more directed I was. So, this year, I would integrate my goal-setting practice with an exploration of energy. 

Also read: Finding God's Voice in Unexpected Places

I start by asking myself: What energy do I want to embody this year? 

Yes, instead of thinking and asking myself what do I want to gain this year, I ask what I want to feel this year. This creates a massive change for me. It’s more driven rather than pushed, it’s more flowing rather than resisting. 

And here’s the secret…

When doing this, I don’t throw the question to my head. Instead, I drop the focus to my heart and address that question. As much as I can, I try to get aligned with my heart and then let my heart whisper the answer which will come in the form of feeling. Then, my brain will translate it into words to create meaning and understanding. Whether it’s abundance, courage, love, or something else, this choice shapes how I approach everything.

For example, if the energy of abundance resonates with me, I find ways to infuse it into my goals, my interactions, and even the smallest daily rituals. Welcoming these energies isn’t just theoretical. I embrace practices like mindfulness and meditation to anchor them into my life. By doing this, I’m not just working towards achievements; I’m cultivating a vibration that aligns with my higher self.

Just like anything else that we practice, discipline and consistency is the key. We gotta make time for the things that are important to us. And of course, this method isn’t without challenges. Staying in tune with a chosen energy while navigating life’s unpredictability demands conscious effort. But setting the intention serves as a compass. Even on the days when I stray, knowing what energy I aim to carry reminds me to realign.

So, as we embark on another year, I invite you to reflect not only on your goals but also on the energy you wish to embody. Imagine the vibrations of love, courage, or abundance guiding you. Set your intentions, not just for what you want to achieve but for how you want to feel and grow.

Here’s to a year that’s not just filled with resolutions but also with resonances. Let’s welcome 2025 as an opportunity to expand our hearts, align with our aspirations, and step boldly into our best selves.