Aloha Lovelies,
I didn’t feel an urge to declare resolutions on January 1st. And I don’t feel drawn to stop and furiously write out my annual goals for 2022 either.
As it turns out, I’m not out of sync. In his monthly energy update, intuitive Lee Harris says that January is a month for clearing out and cleaning up. It’s a time to go within and not a time for launching new things.
If this resonates for you, ask yourself:
· What do you need to clear out or clean up?
· What do you want to leave behind?
· What’s no longer serving you?
· What no longer resonates?
· What’s niggling at you?
When I asked these questions, I realized I have many incomplete practical tasks from 2021 that need to be finished. I made a long list. On a deeper level, even before I heard Harris’ advice, I realized there’s an emotional pattern that I want to leave behind too.
Look on a practical level, but look on a deeper level too. What no longer resonates? It could be a relationship, a job, a pattern, a belief, or a place.
This clearing process will prepare you for February, when the energy will become more external and be the perfect time to be active, create, and manifest.
Realistic Resolutions: Micro Is In
Even if you’ve set your resolutions already, consider the clearing process above. And read on because the following ideas may help you reform your resolutions in a more realistic way.
As you do this clearing out process, resolutions, visions, and dreams for 2022 may begin to spontaneously emerge. Or maybe you’ll reach a point where you feel ready to craft them if you haven’t done so yet.
Whatever we call them—resolutions, intentions, goals, or promises, we all face the same challenge of sticking with our new commitments for more than a few weeks.
As I read around on the internet, I find people are wising up and going small when it comes to resolutions. In fact, new words have been invented like: micro-habit, micro-change, and micro-strategy. The new emphasis is on committing to less and taking small steps that can add up to big change.
Seems smart, doesn’t it?
Ellen Eastwood recommends kicking off the New Year with a healthy-micro habit like drinking one extra glass of water a day. She says:
“Micro-habit resolutions are easy to keep but have a measurable impact on your quality of life.”
Ilana Rabinowitz believes in making only one resolution. She says:
“I believe in making only one resolution. This makes it easier to stay on track and to keep that promise.”
Darshak Rana recommends make micro-changes that involved taking micro-steps each day. He says:
“We didn’t grow up in a day — We underwent many phases of life: infancy, the toddler years, childhood, puberty, older adolescence, adulthood, etc., taking micro-steps. Likewise, your life also improves when you take baby steps each day for 12 months.”
Last November, I made a goal to lose five pounds by the end of the year. I called it a “mini-goal.” It seemed far easier and doable than a far-away goal set for an entire year.
As it turns out, I didn’t create the concept of “micro” in relation to goals, but I fell in love with the idea of mini-goals. I’ve decided to use mini-goals going forward and not just at the start of 2022. Instead, I’ll set a mini-goal and once I accomplish it, I’ll move on to a new one
There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to accomplish every micro-goal you set for yourself. But it’s far more likely you’ll succeed at small changes.
For a different flavor of goals, I love these “7 Resolutions for Gentle Souls” from the Life on Purpose Movement because they’re not about pushing or striving.
1. “Make room for rest
2. Listen to my body
3. Hug more trees
4. Resist the hustle mentality
5. Embrace ‘good enough’
6. Lean into vulnerability.
7. Give love freely—including love for myself.”
Resonant Resolutions
Don’t make your resolutions or goals on automatic based on what you “should” do or as a natural extension of what you’ve done in the past.
Lee Harris suggests asking questions like:
What’s calling me in 2022?
What’s next for me?
What do I want next?
What am I surrendering to?
Ask one or more of these questions and rapid log whatever comes to your mind without thinking too much. You might be surprised by what comes up.
Or take more time to dialog with your soul about them in your journal.
The list that emerged for me was quite different than the major threads I had expected to continue in 2022. But the new list definitely reflected the deeper whispers of my soul.
I won’t try to accomplish the complete list all at once. Instead, I’ll turn them into mini-goals and work on them one at a time.
Live Intentionally
A negative attitude towards resolutions has emerged, you see it all over the internet, because people find it so difficult to keep them.
I’m not against resolutions at all. Whatever we call them—resolutions, intentions, or goals, I feel they’re integral to an intentional life. The key is to choose consciously and wisely so you’ll be in the group of people who do accomplish their resolutions.
I hope these ideas will help you to accomplish whatever positive changes you desire in 2022. I would love to hear how you are moving into 2022. Use the button below to leave a comment on this article’s webpage:
[Photo by Tara Winstead from Pexels]
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Until Next Time
Remember, a new year begins in every single moment. You can change a pattern at any time. But since there’s so much collective energy around the designated New Year, why not get started on cleaning out, cleaning up, and asking what’s calling you in 2022?
Thank you for reading!
Until next time, stay safe, be happy, and let your love flow. Sending you all my love and best wishes.
xo Sandra
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If this inspired or helped you, please share it with others. Many thanks!
Sandra, your words are so wise. Remember when I first took your course, I was pondering imminent retirement from my job. Well, the time has arrived and soon, very soon, I will be retired and will be launching myself into a new life. I am excited and nervous, but know all will be well. So, yeah, I have been journaling a lot about 2022 and your article definitely resonated with me. With so many big changes looming, micro changes and micro habits are the way for me to go. I also find with resolutions, once I don’t do something perfectly, I just give up and end up doing worse than when I started! I am an all or nothing person and finding that balance is so difficult. Your articles are always so calming and reassuring and well researched. Thanks for making my Saturday morning!
Three thank-yous.
First, for the quote about not growing up in a day, so why would we expect to change so quickly? People spend a lifetime practicing habits, then wake up one day in January and expect to be different a year later.
Second, the introducion to Lee Harris. His videos look really interesting.
Third for the mention.