Ten Refreshing Tips to Begin the New Year

It has only been three days since welcoming 2023. And this means that new year resolutions, promises, and to-do lists are in full swing and may be beautifully written on the first page of your new journal.

Check on them now and see how many resolutions you committed to were the same when you welcomed 2022. How many were you able to faithfully and honestly do? How many remained just in writing? Maybe your resolutions, goals, and promises need to change their focus this year. Instead of starting big and instantly all at once, slow, small yet practical steps might be the key.

"Sometimes, all we need to see is a little shift in behavior to give us hope that some challenging circumstances can be turned around. It's helpful to set some small goals in areas where we've struggled significantly in the past. Don't relinquish your hope. Look for increments of progress that can build your faith in the future," best-selling author Lisa McInnes-Smith encouraged.

Ideas to live by

Instead of having new year resolutions, she suggests promising yet practical ideas to live by for 2023 and beyond. Not a one-time thing to do, but something to consistently and constantly do throughout one's life.

Propel Women listed all ten ideas that can be refreshing and powerful tips to start 2023 anew and go through it hopeful.

1. Take care of yourself.

Only you can know when you need to rest, go for a walk, have time alone, or need someone to talk to. Nobody else can arrange that for you to happen. Do not wait for others to tell you to take a breather or take care of yourself. Listen to your body, and listen to your soul.

2. Rest and revive.

Remember that the most effective and efficient people know how to set boundaries and take regular rest breaks to refresh themselves and revive their passion and energy.

3. Encourage yourself.

This might be the most powerful message you would ever need in your entire year - the most valuable words you will ever hear in your whole life are not those from other people but those you hear from yourself. What are you telling yourself these days? Are your words building you up or breaking you down?

Encouragement is a cure, and being able to encourage one's self is not just a powerful discipline but also a "daily gift of kindness to your well-being."

4. Be kind.

Kindness is a gift everyone can give to the people they interact with daily, yet kindness is rare nowadays. Thus, be intentional to make kindness trend again. Be kind daily and show love and compassion to the people around you. This is how you make an impact.

5. Hold on to hope.

You can lose everything, but do not lose hope. Hope makes everything possible - a new day, a new chance, a new outcome, a new love, and a new life for you and someone else. Hope is a powerful tool to have every single day.

6. Be thankful.

The key to having true joy and contentment is not material things, money, or being in the perfect circumstance. It isn't even the people that love you. The key to pure joy is giving thanks - a grateful heart.

7. Have faith.

Keep in mind that you gravitate in the direction of your dominant thoughts. What you usually think about the most is what comes about. Thus, be careful what you set your mind to. Choose faith, as it always gives the best outcome.

8. Imagine

Give yourself the luxury of sitting quietly, allowing your mind to fly and imagine. Describe how you see your life and dreams in all their splendor.

9. Take off those limitations.

Above, it says that you should have faith. Now, it is telling you to have faith in yourself as well. Your only limitation is yourself thinking that you cannot do it.

As LiveWellFlow said, between your limiting beliefs and unhelpful habits, you can be your worst enemy. Thus, dare to decide and cut off what you do not want to tolerate any longer from yourself.

But most of all, have a lot more faith in God, who is limitless. Have faith in the plans that God has for you and in what He can do through you.

10. Make your labels lovely.

Forget about how people have labeled you in the past. Forget also about the labels you placed on yourself. Choose your own labels and those that are positive, uplifting, and beautiful because those are who you are.