Happy New Year! It’s been a refreshing holiday and now’s the time to turn our attention to the year ahead. If you’d like to make the most of it, but you’re not sure how, here’s my take on to how to live fully in 2022.
The beginning of the year gives us hope. It’s a new dawn that energises us and makes us think of all that we’d like to accomplish.
An opportunity to start (good stuff), quit (bad stuff) and to re-invent ourselves completely.
If you’re feeling stuck in a rut and have been disappointed with New Years resolutions in the past, here’s my best advice on how to live fully in 2022 and beyond.
What does it mean to live fully?
What springs to mind when you think of living life to the full? Money, a tight body, tech, travel, adventure, fun with friends?
These are all fine, and should be a part of your life, but when we focus too much on the highs and on the goals achieved, we overlook the magic of everyday experiences.
Chasing highlights gives you a buzz, but how do you feel when the buzz wears off? There’s an emptiness that follows.
Living fully is not so much about what you are doing, but how you are doing it. It’s not the glorious outcomes, but the way of life.
When you are living fully, you are engaged with every moment. You are awake and fully present. You notice the details and find joy in the little things. You approach your work and your training with the focus, curiosity and precision of an artisan. You get absorbed in that flow state for hours.
This is what it means to live fully.
So this year, instead of simply cramming in more distractions, learn to nurture this gift that you have been given.
How to live fully
All it takes is a few simple practices to change your experience of everyday life. You can go from an anxious, hectic and frustrated state to one that’s cool, calm and curious.
Here’s how:
1. Meditate daily. Meditation builds your focus, awareness and connection to the present moment. Every day that you practice, you awaken your senses and let your whole self be.
2. Practice mindfulness. Take that mindfulness you find during meditation with you into everyday activities. Engage your senses fully in whatever you are doing and notice how much better it becomes.
3. Keep a journal. Gratitude is a powerful tool that helps to boost positive emotions and improve mental health. At the end of each day write down what you are thankful for, who you appreciate and when you felt good. This simple exercise helps you to tune into what’s already great in your life.
4. Do less. When we think of living life to the full, we usually think of more. More concerts, more holidays, more stuff. But less is better. Do less than you think you want to, but aim to do it better.
5. Avoid comparison. The never ending stream of people doing ‘cooler things’ than us serves absolutely no purpose in our lives. All it does is make us feel less. Stop watching and start living. Focus on yourself and those that really matter to you.
6. Make art. You might not think of yourself as artistic, or have a particularly creative job, but injecting art into your life can make a huge difference. Re-design your office. Write a book. Make an album. Any kind of creative pursuit can open your mind significantly.
It’s important to continue to set goals and add to your highlight reel, but never overlook the joys of simply living. Every single day can be a masterpiece when you bring your full attention and energy to it.