Forget the resolutions this year....how about a different focus?

Hiking over Christmas. Letting go of the old and making space for the new.   

As we begin the new year, I hope you’ve enjoyed some downtime over the festive season. Hopefully you’ve spent lovely, restful days with family and friends. Taken some time to reflect on all that 2025 bought you. Perhaps you’ve walked some trails. Rolled out your yoga mat. Have you sat in silence - watching, listening, perhaps waiting for inspiration?

It feels so good to slow down.

Now, are you ready to turn your attention towards what you would like to invite into, aspire to, dream and hope for 2026?

A few days ago, I received a newsletter from a yoga teacher I follow online, and it got me thinking. 

I usually write a to-do list.  It helps me follow a direction I want to head. It’s a way to make plans towards achieving my goals. That’s how I get things done. But this year, instead of a doing list, I’m going to put together a being list. Does that interest you too?

To me it feels more of an invitation. An invitation to feel into what would serve my highest good. Less striving. Less effort. Not beating myself up when I don’t tick off my goals, when I lose my way, and just give up.... Or when I procrastinate....

I invite you to be really honest with yourself. What do you need to feel joy, fulfilled and peaceful in the present moment? Flex your self-awareness muscle – you can still be there for everyone, but first you should take time to be aware of what you need to be.

Here are some ideas you might like to consider – and a note, a little doing may be required...!

Body awareness – be in your body. Feel the way it moves through space – with grace or awkwardness, stiffness or fluidity?  Notice tension, discomfort, pain, ease or spaciousness within every tissue. Observe what type of movement feels nourishing today, tomorrow it might be different – slow and stretchy, strength or aerobic. Daily physical activity and movement is key for a healthy body, mind and lifestyle. (Do, in order to be!) Remember, it’s vital to feel well and happy in your body.

Energetic awareness – it’s ok to rest, take a break and slow down when you need to recharge. Doing requires pushing, action, achievement, moving forward – it can be draining. We want to balance our energy. At times conserve it. Notice what nourishes and what depletes. Practice restorative yoga – it adds to your energy bank. Sit quietly watching your breath. Perform a calming, soothing pranayama such as alternate nostril breathing. Get a massage. Go for a swim. Get out in nature. Walk barefoot. Watch the sun rise or set. Be in stillness. Be in the moment. Be present.

Connection – feeds our whole being. Allow someone to take care of you. Feel the joy of caring for another. Forgive someone and feel the lightening of a load. Apologise if you have regrets about something. Reach out to someone who has been missing from your life, and who you have been missing. Feel the love that surrounds you. Receive love and give love. Laugh, dance, sing and cry. Take a moment, notice and be surprised by just how much contentment you have in your life from all your friendships and relationships.

On the flip side – if you spend a lot of time alone and are not connecting with many people, how can you find contentment in your own company? This is something I’ve struggled with in the past, but I’m pleased to finally be in a place where I’m happy with my own company. Believe me it’s taken some work...! This is empowering. I’m not relying on someone else for me to feel happy and satisfied with my life.

Mindful awareness – is really the foundation of our being in the world. Allowing us then to do. To act. To take the steps necessary, to move towards our goals and desires. Being is not about laziness or waiting for something to happen. Anchoring into our sense of who we are allows us to move through life, making decisions from a place of centredness and calm, not acting from panic or fear – fear of failure, fear of not being good enough. Instead, we choose our direction with clarity, confidence and curiosity. We might discover that life flows more smoothly, meeting little resistance as we navigate change.

This is when we can tap into our creativity. Our intuition. Insights arise.

Honestly, I would struggle without my mindful meditation practice. Sitting, softly repeating my mantra for 20 minutes twice a day has been a wonderful way to release stress. As a result, I’ve noticed I can adapt when the unexpected comes up; I have more agency over my thoughts and decisions; I can deal with problems in new and creative ways; I feel more connected with everything and everyone and I have more freedom to enjoy life – every sensation and moment. I feel in alignment with nature - there is less urgency.

 I encourage you to create space to be with yourself. Stop battling with yourself.

Now your doing can flow from your being – with presence and purpose.

Ahhh, have a wonderful, fun-filled new year!

Namaste,

Julie x