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Renegotiating Your Bliss: An Homage To The Year’s End

Aaaaaand, it’s December 1st. The quick transition from summer to fall took me by surprise and the fact that I went from wearing a cozy sweater out one day to a winter coat, was a tad upsetting. I don’t particularly like sleeves, shoes and socks and have been known to bust out tank tops in the middle of a stone-cold February day whenever the indoor temperature allows. So I surprised myself yesterday when I felt like I had finally made peace with the impending winter and inevitably shorter days.

I stepped out, all bundled up in my down coat, winter boots, cute mitts and popped on my iPod. I picked a song I hadn’t heard in a while and like all good music, all of a sudden, I was transported back to another time – specifically, this time last year. Rather than shrug it off, I decided to stay with the feeling as I made my way to the subway.

Moving through the city streets, feeling the cold on my skin and just observing the people, places and things around me, I was flooded with memories. I was living somewhere else in the city this time last year, doing some fun marketing work on contract, deep-diving into my Reiki clients and speaking engagements. I could remember the friends I had made – some of which are still near and dear to my heart and others who have simply went on their own way. And it all got me thinking.

Here we are – December 1st and 2015 is almost done. It’d be so easy to get caught up in the holidaze – Christmas shopping, Christmastime eating and drinking, running around trying to get everything done. But instead, I decided to look back and see what had changed, what I needed to tweak – add or subtract – from my life to move into 2016 with the grace and confidence that I wanted to move ahead with.

I’ve decided to renegotiate my bliss.

Rather than assume that everything I’m doing right now is keeping me happy, I’m going to really dig in and see if that’s true. There was a time that I positively loved coffee. The aroma of a fresh pot filling in the morning was my bliss. Until I realized one day that it was actually contributing to my anxiety and insomnia. So I quit. And I’m not looking back. I’ve replaced my fancy coffee lattes with fancy Earl Grey Tea Lattes. Same comforting habit with no nasty side effects. So. Worth. It.

This is also a time to look over the last year and really give ourselves credit for everything we’ve done. Time to say, “Holy shit. I did that? Awesome.” Sometimes we do some incredible things that we just don’t give ourselves much credit for. Those little things add up to an amazing life if we just take the time to see it that way.

So before you get carried away with your to-do lists and holiday engagements, take a breather to ask yourself if you’re doing the things that light you up. Start with the small things. Start with the daily habits you’re hanging onto and see if there’s anything you can ditch or add to your days to put a smile on your face. The things we did a year ago, a month ago or even a day ago may no longer add to our happiness and that’s cool! Move towards the things that make you feel good and remind yourself that you’re kick ass. Because you are.

xo

4 Comments

  • Corinne K.
    December 2, 2015 at 6:35 pm

    Yes! It’s amazing how one simple change can really make a huge difference with how we feel overall. Congrats on kicking the habit! I’m glad it sparked some inspiration for you. It’s important to check in every now and then and this time of year is great for looking at the whole picture. Happy holidays!

  • Corinne K.
    December 2, 2015 at 6:32 pm

    Hi Giselle! You’re very welcome and I totally agree. It’s so important to gauge where we’ve been and where we’re going 🙂 So nice hearing from you. I hope you’re well!

  • Lisa
    December 2, 2015 at 1:34 pm

    I also gave up my coffee habit this year and am not looking back!! I now look forward to my morning cup of green tea, sleep better than ever and no longer have anxiety-belly all day.

    You’ve got me thinking about other habits I have that might not be serving me… something to be aware of as I move through the day. Thanks!!

  • GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth
    December 2, 2015 at 12:35 am

    Love this Corinne! I’ve definitely been known to get caught up in the holidaze and look forward to the new year as a fresh start. But there’s definitely something to be said for getting introspective and looking back on the previous year. Remembering the good, the bad and the meh, internalizing it, and only then, moving on.
    So thanks for the reminder!

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