As we approach the end of 2023, it’s a perfect time to pause and reflect on the journey we have traveled, the lessons we’ve learned, and the moments that have shaped us. While it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, particularly around the holiday season, the end of the year offers us all a valuable opportunity to step back, assess our progress, express gratitude for ourselves and others, and set meaningful, healthy, resolutions and intentions to improve and enrich our lives in fulfilling ways.

Reflection:

“You’re always with yourself , so you might as well enjoy the company.”

-Diane von Fursten

Reflection can be a first step in concluding the calendar year in a meaningful way. It’s a chance to review and take stock of the experiences, challenges, achievements, relationships, interactions, and milestones that have shaped our lives over the past 12 months. In turn, this contemplation provides an opportunity for growth and self-awareness. It allows you to celebrate your accomplishments and acknowledge the areas where you want to initiate change for the better.

According to the experts, self awareness, also leads to improved decision-making (Ridley, Schutz, Glanz, & Weinstein, 1992), and improved well being because the better you understand yourself, the more aligned you generally are with your core values and heart’s desires. In turn, we feel happier and more content, which improves our overall health and adds value to our life experiences (Jacoby, Humber River Health 2022).

By recognizing the challenges you’ve faced, the lessons you’ve learned, and celebrating your triumphs, you can better prepare yourself for the year ahead, build a more positive mindset, and focus your time and awareness on doing things that bring you joy, laughter, success, and contentment.

Gratitude:

“Gratitude is the recognition that each day is a gift.”

-Robert Emmons

Expressing gratitude for others and to yourself is a powerful way to end the year on a positive note. Whether it’s your family, friends, coworkers, or mentors, take the time to show appreciation for their presence in your life. A simple thank-you note, a heartfelt conversation, or a small gesture of kindness can go a long way in strengthening your relationships and spreading positivity.

Moreover, don’t forget to express gratitude to yourself for the experiences, both good and bad, that have contributed to your personal growth. Remember, self care is not selfish. By being kind and loving to yourself, especially during busy, stressful times, we are saying thank you to ourselves, rejuvenating our mind, body, and spirit, and taking care of our wellbeing which is priceless.

Accepting that we all have an finite amount of time on this planet we can recognize that every day is a gift to be cherished and make wise choices for our highest good.

Resolutions:

“What the new year brings to you, will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.”

-Vern McLellan

Setting meaningful resolutions for the upcoming year is a tradition that many people engage in as they bid farewell to the old year. While it’s common to make resolutions, it’s essential to make them achievable and focused and ones that help you be your true authentic self –joyously! Instead of creating a long list of vague goals, consider setting a few specific, attainable, meaningful resolutions that matter most to you.

Start by identifying your preferences. What areas of your life do you want to improve? Is it your health, your career, your relationships, or your personal development? Once you’ve pinpointed your priorities, break them down into actionable steps. For example, if you want to improve your health, your resolution might be to exercise three times a week or to eat more vegetables.

When creating resolutions, it’s also helpful to consider the SMART criteria: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This approach ensures that your resolutions are clear, and within your reach.

In addition to setting personal goals, consider creating resolutions for the community or the world at large. This might involve volunteering, donating to a charitable cause, or making eco-friendly choices. Contributing to the betterment of society can add a deeper sense of purpose to your life.

Wrapping Up Your Year With Wellness

“Every end is a new beginning.”

-William Bridges

As you wrap up 2023, consider that endings bring new opportunities to rejuvenate, revitalize, and start fresh with new routines and positive change.

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Creating a wellness calendar with optimistic intentions and joyful activities to reduce stress and welcome fun into your life is a great way to inspire daily self-care, mindfulness, be thankful, and create resolutions during the holiday season that are meaningful and abundant. These daily activities can help reduce stress, cultivate gratitude, and invite more happiness and fun into your holiday season and new year. Customize the calendar to suit your preferences and schedule, and encourage others to join you in the daily wellness activities to wrap up with your year with wellness and good cheer!

In that spirit, here are thirty, fun, relaxing wellness ideas to wrap up the year and welcome in fresh new beginnings to help you thrive and grow!

Day 1: Start a gratitude journal. Write down three things you’re grateful for today.

Day 2: Treat yourself to a relaxing bubble bath or hot shower.

Day 3: Go for a 15-minute walk outside to get some fresh air and vitamin D.

Day 4: Try a guided meditation or deep breathing exercise to relax your mind.

Day 5: Create a holiday playlist with your favorite songs and enjoy the music all year long– share it with your friends and family, or if you are so inclined, invite your friends and family over for a jam session to dance and have fun!

Day 6: Declutter and organize a small area of your home for a sense of accomplishment.

Day 7: Declutter your mind by making a list of things you love about your life, things you can let go of, and things you want to change for the better.

Day 8: Unplug from technology for an hour and do something you love.

Day 9: Write a letter to a loved one and express your appreciation.

Day 10: Treat yourself to a homemade spa day with a face mask, manicure, or pedicure.

Day 11: Try a new healthy recipe or cooking technique and enjoy the meal with plans to enhance your diet with nutritious healthy foods.

Day 12: Spend quality time with a pet or a friend, engaging in an activity you both love.

Day 13: Practice a 15-minute yoga session to improve flexibility and relaxation.

Day 14: Create a vision board or collage to set intentions for the upcoming year.

Day 15: Take a social media break and use the time to read an inspiring book or magazine.

Day 16: Give back by donating to a charity or volunteering your time.

Day 17: Invite friends or family to a  holiday movie or show for some light-hearted entertainment.

Day 18: Try a new hobby or craft that you’ve always wanted to explore.

Day 19: Spend time in nature, whether it’s a walk in the park or some stargazing.

Day 20: Practice mindfulness by being fully present in the moment, even if it’s just for a few minutes by meditating.

Day 21: Make a list of your accomplishments this year and celebrate your successes.

Day 22: Plan a virtual or in-person gathering with friends or family to reconnect.

Day 23: Reflect on the new year’s true meaning for you and set an intention for the final days. Engaging in mindfulness practices, such as journaling, or simply enjoying a quiet moment of solitude can help you gain perspective, reduce stress, and prepare for the year ahead with a clear and focused mind that ensures that your transition into the new year is a deeply meaningful, joyful, and enriching experience.

Day 24: Create a self-love ritual, such as writing yourself a kind letter or affirmation, and scheduling  daily me time in 2024.

Day 25: Head out for a holiday light stroll or drive around your neighborhood and enjoy the sparkle!

Day 26: Plan a friends and family board game day, complete with your favourite snacks and beverages

Day 27: Spend time on your own, or with loved ones creating memory scrapbooks or memory journals that capture the highlights of the past years.

Day 28: Explore your local area and visit free or low-cost attractions such as museums, parks, or historical sites to enhance your love of learning.

Day 29: Distribute “kindness coupons” for experiences, like a day of pampering, a home-cooked dinner, or a day of babysitting, which can be redeemed throughout the year to say thank you to others who have changed your life for the better.

Day 3O: Organize a book exchange with friends or family members. Everyone brings a book they’ve already read, loved, and swaps with others. Include an inspiring quote to promote wellness with each gift.

Day 31: Write a new storyline for yourself in your journal—say your intentions out loud with your favourite beverage to celebrate your success, accomplishments, and the new chapter you are creating for 2024!

Wishing you the best of everything including days and years filled with peace, love and light.

Warmly and with gratitude,

Jane

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Jane Enright is an ordinary person who has survived some extraordinary things. An inspiring and humorous  award-winning Canadian author, speaker, and wellness expert, Jane is a former kindergarten teacher, university lecturer, and the CEO of Everything at My Super Awesome Life Inc. She is the winner of the 2022 Canadian Book Club Award for Best Book, Spiritual, Health & Wellness, and the 2022 Silver Medal from Living Now Evergreen Book Awards, to commemorate world-changing books published in this new millennium for her compelling, riveting memoir entitled Butter Side Up: How I Survived My Most Terrible Year & Created My Super Awesome Life. Butter Side Up is also a 2023 Bedside Reading Best Beach Book. Jane is also the author of the acclaimed wellness playbook Jane’s Jam: Inspiration To Create Your Super Awesome Life.

Jane is helping audiences worldwide land “butter side up” find joy, successfully manage change, and create new beginnings and fresh starts after the unexpected. You can connect with Jane on LinkedIn, Goodreads, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. For more information and to get in touch visit janeenrightauthor.com.