As we hit off another year, after the quiet time of post-holiday January, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the potential of all the hopes and dreams of the year ahead. As the past few years have shown us, not all new year’s instil in us a sense of freedom and joy, and in fact many of us may be feeling overwhelmed and disheartened as we continue to face the challenges of life and the uncertainty it holds. These days we all have so much going on, whether it’s events in the news, around the world, the demands of work, the kids’ busy schedules, needing to somehow find the time to see an old friend – or just being overwhelmed by the events of the last few years. As we enter 2023, I invite you to embrace the year ahead and rediscover the simple, everyday pleasures of life. Join me this month as we get back to basics, experiencing the world around us as we embark on another year in this ever-complex world.

First off let me explain what I mean by ‘back to basics’. This isn’t about going without or depriving ourselves but acknowledging and embracing the simple beautiful things in our lives. Following the path of mindfulness, we can focus on our immediate environment. Mindfulness has become a popular trend in recent years, and for a good reason! It allows us to take a step back and focus on the world around us – our world. When we hear of the devastation, violence and hardship that abounds in our world, through sources like the media, we must acknowledge that we are not able to hold all the concerns of the world in our hands. When we feel utterly overwhelmed by the demands placed on us, and are unable to focus or find rest, simple practices such as mindfulness can help us.

As we get back to the basics of life that are around and concern us, we begin to appreciate or acknowledge the circumstances that we currently find ourselves in (good, bad, or indifferent). We are also begin to look at the basic formula or ground-work of things. It’s about still enjoying the busy and fancy things in life, while embracing the less flashy mundane parts of life as well. This practice is not about trying to fix everything in our lives, or to make us feel bad for not living up to our own self expectations. This is a practice of non-judgment and of acknowledgment!

In general, we all have a tendency to overcomplicate things in life, something I am far too guilty of. At times it is so hard to step back and take stock of our personal situation, and there can be the expectation for one thing to be the panacea of all that ails. It is so easy to convince ourselves that the simple easy little thing we are doing won’t make that big a difference in the overall scheme of things. Well, you may be right,  but then again – you may also be wrong! For example, going outside for a few minutes may not seem like you are doing much, but regularly going outside, feeling the wind and the sun on your skin, smelling nature, or walking barefoot on the ground does all adds up! Studies have shown that getting outside regularly – even for just A few minutes per day – does make a difference to life quality. The same goes for little dietary changes. The demands of work and family, combined with our own physical limitations can make even the smallest changes seem like a monumental task.

Little things that make a difference could include;

• Gratitude practices (saying please and thank you, help others or journaling about or say out loud the things you are grateful for)
• Don’t just focus on the negative, try to see the good or neutral learnings from a challenging experience
• Nurture the healthy relationships in your life (talk, share joys or concerns, actively enjoy another’s company and share in their happiness)
• Practice mindfulness or meditation
• Stop and smell the roses, noticing and savouring the small daily pleasures of life
• Care for yourself (remember you are important and need love too)
• Take life one step at a time, all the little things we do (or don’t do) add up over time

What are some of the simple things you enjoy in life? Do you feel stuck in a rut or wish to improve your health this year but feel overwhelmed, like it’s ‘just too much’? Consider booking a personalised health consultation today, allowing us to guide and assist you in your health journey.