As my guy, Shaboozy, sings, “Man, what a hell of a year it’s been.” Truly. I think there’s quite a few of us happy to see the start of 2025 finally come, as this past year’s been a rough one. So much anxiety, frustration, and tension. While the pandemic years were unprecedented and difficult in their own ways, 2024 seemed full of conflict and anger. It would be so nice to leave behind what we can. For today’s post, I thought I’d reflect on how to mindfully begin the new year with the hope of some healing. I’d like to share what tips I find to help us move forward with an open heart.
Moving through difficult times involves letting go. One great place to start is with forgiveness. The turn of a new year is a great time to check in with yourself about what relationships may have been damaged in the past year. A fresh mindset means giving people second or maybe even third chances. It’s a good time to identify any unresolved issues with family and friends and acknowledge your ability to make peace and move forward. Sometimes we can do this with other people, but we can also do it within our own experience. Forgiveness will also apply to the ways you need to forgive yourself. We often drag the past into the future by dwelling on regrets. What you can’t change, you can learn from.
Another tip for resetting from a difficult time is to let the people in your life know that you care. We’ve all been through a lot, and in doing so, we may feel disconnected. People often turn inward and withdraw through tough times. Rebuilding connections is a way to open up the flow of positive feelings and rekindle community. Let people know how they mattered to you in the past year and recommit to this gratitude for the upcoming times. Showing up for people is a way to focus on what matters that we can control. Maybe set up some structured meeting times to build back withered relationships. A weekly walk or a monthly dinner. Having set times is a way to commit to connections we may have drifted from.
Be of service in some way. Difficult times tend to make us feel helpless and paralyzed. Finding a way to reach out and be of help to others can rekindle our hope and our feeling of meaning. Nothing empowers people more than finding a way to give that is tangible and results oriented. In doing so, we tend to be surrounded by others who are positive and giving as well. It makes us feel a little better about the state of the world to be a part of something good.
Remember what was lost during the pandemic lock down and don’t take it for granted. It’s easy to forget how we once longed for things we now have available. We may have forgotten our appreciation as we became disturbed by new stressors. Our ability to be together, to attend rituals and family events, to socialize and visit people in the hospital was once taken away from us (and for some still is a challenge). Recommit to gratitude for the everyday things we can continue to engage in.
And last but not least, a great tip to move forward from a tough year is to do something new! What have you wanted to do but held back from? Is there something on your bucket list that would bring some excitement and a fresh sense of purpose? When life feels out of control, we can gain some control by taking action. Don’t wait for someone else to do something to make you feel better or fix things. Snap into action in the ways that will enhance your life and bring you some joy.
It’s so easy to get depressed when you feel life’s hit you hard with one bad thing after another. And, it’s true, last year was bruising. But, sorry, Shaboozy, though I sing your song with gusto in the car, sitting around at the bar just waiting for “some good news” is not going to be enough. Sometimes, you just have to go out and create the good news you’re needing!