Mindful Monday - January 4th
Good morning and happy Mindful Monday.
No doubt like everyone you're hoping for a "better" year than the last one, and while nurturing hope is always important, it remains wise to cultivate good habits that will keep you in good stead, regardless of external conditions.
"Get clear about what's important to you and be prepared to experiment."
New habits and rituals don't need to be massive life changes immediately, but they can lead to big changes down the line. I can't tell you the number of times I've had clients tell me they're starting a new gym programme of five, one-hour sessions a week, while also giving up alcohol, sugar and social media... only to get to week three or four and find that it's simply too much to take on at once.
Try this…Start small and achievable to build the habits first. It could be beginning the day with a glass of water and a 20-minute walk, and then going to bed half an hour earlier. Do this as an experiment for one month and see how you feel.If you feel it's going in the right direction, then perhaps start experimenting with more changes in exercise, diet and night-time routines in February.
Go on, I'm sure you can handle trying a few small changes for a month!
You're only as good as your worst day
It's easy to be nice when everything is going great, but when the chips are down that's when our true character really shines through. This is a great short read about how our worst days are actually great opportunities to bring out our best.
I've been saving this list for today's email as it's full of beautifully simple advice for, well, a better life. Each tip is a short sentence and topics include Productivity, Body, Relationships, Compassion and Joy, to name a few.
My current favourite - Compassion: “Compliment people more. Many people have trouble thinking of themselves as smart, or pretty, or kind, unless told by someone else. You can help them out.”
Listening to
I've had Jordan Rakei's album Wallflower on repeat for a week now. It's a small step away from my usual listening vibes of The National and Joep Beving...
Final word
Last year is done. This year comes with its own challenges. Give yourself permission to experiment and know that some things will work out and some won't, but you'll still learn something in the process. Grab a pen and paper, jot down some ideas and dare to dream!
Big love and happy New Year!
Luke X