Ruby in the Sky

So, we’ve talked about reflections; Now it’s time to think about how we can make 2015 (even) better than 2014. Sure, we know all the Carpe Diem‘s, Y.O.L.O.‘s, make everyday better than the last‘s, and so on. All very well, but how are we supposed to act upon these mantra’s – oh damn, I hope the context is right for this word…? I’m feeling fancy today, so I’m going to be dropping another word that I know only so much about: kaizen. In essence, this is all about getting to your goals by taking really small steps, e.g. put on workout clothes and stand tall for one minute. By taking super, extremely, tiny steps, it should be much easier to get to the finish line unharmed. I think this is a great idea and a relatively easy one at it, too.

I’ve thought about the question what I wanted to achieve this year many times, and I figured that really, I just want to be happy. Happiness, I think, comes through a positive outlook on the world, so a positive outlook is what I want to work on. And let’s be honest, we all want to be happy or happier, don’t we? That figured out, I thought of some small things to do everyday to keep you on a positive roll.

Here are 5 little things to do to keep you motivated and positive throughout the year, enjoy!

#1 the big cleanup

It might seem weird that, considering I put this list in order of heaviness and term, I put clearing out your space on the shortest, least heavy spot. But really, if you think about this, it makes sense. Giving your home or room a full swipe doesn’t have to take you more than a day, doesn’t have to be repeated too often – in fact, I think it works better if it’s not – and gives the greatest satisfaction ever. At least, to me it does. Cleaning can seem like a huge and tedious chore, but if your rooms are clear, so are your thoughts, and looking at my empty chair after ridding it of all the clothes stacked on top of it is somehow super liberating. It’s like the weight on the floor also lifted off of your shoulders. What more do you need for a fresh start of the new year?

#2 the diary

This one is especially great if you’re a writer, but in my opinion works for everyone. Make yourself write something everyday, even if it’s just a plain journal stating exactly what you’ve done that day. Writing before you go to sleep helps you vent possible frustrations, remember happy events and also clears your head, so you don’t have to be worrying instead of getting some rest. The better your night’s sleep, the better you’ll feel the next morning, ready to take on another day!

#3 the thankful jar

The thankful jar is an invention of my own – although someone else has probably come up with it before me. The basis is the principle of being thankful for things everyday. Often, people exercise in writing down ten things they are grateful for everyday. This is a spin on that, with the full little extra that you can see the jar fill throughout the year, and on less awesome days, you can tuck in and see what you were happy about on another. You can give this your own twist: color-code it, write dates on the tags, make your jar a decorative contribution to your interior! Try to write at least one thing down everyday that you appreciated about it. You will be glad you did when you’re feeling down!

#4 the goal calendar

This is another one that I thought of myself, but once again inspired by similar existing projects (I read steal like an artist – don’t judge). The idea is that you buy yourself a fun calendar, for example a youtube one, or something with cats on it. Anything goes as long as it’s that kind with the picture on the top half and the spacious squares on the bottom – we do want some room to write in! Once you’ve got the calendar covered, think of 52 (yes, 52) relatively small things you would like to do this year. At the beginning of every week, write one down. Pin your calendar somewhere you can see it frequently et voila, a step by step guide to make the most of your year and never be bored. You’re welcome ;)

#5 the quote of the year

This last tip I have practiced myself the past year, and I feel like it has really helped me. It’s very simple: at the beginning of the year, you choose one rule/mantra/quote/word to live by. You write it down neatly and stick it – once again – to your wall, preferably on the other end of your bed or at the spot where you sit a lot. This mantra will serve to remind you of your personal journey and goals. Last year, my mantra was Let Go, which, for me, meant to be more open to new things and also care less about what others thought of me. The little scribble has been hung opposite my head for a year and I feel like it has projected it’s positive energy on me. Occasionally, you can reflect if you’re still living by the mantra you’ve picked and think of the reason why you did and wether it is still relevant. If you chose right, it’s stay with you the whole year.

I hope some of these ideas were helpful or inspiring to someone out there. Do remember, it’s okay to miss a day of diary writing, it’s okay not to have reached your weekly goal. Just let those experiences serve as a lesson for the future, and don’t give up. It’s the small things that matter most.

Love,

Ruby