7 Must-Haves For 2022

The new year calls for a new frame of mind.

What business is the most profitable in January?

Fitness industry.

Why New Year resolutions fail so extravagantly?

Long-lasting changes need a shift in consciousness. That lust for a new lifestyle needs to come within. And most New Year resolutions are shallow.

Forget about diets and losing weight. Deep down, you don’t want perfectly defined abs. You want to feel good about yourself or crave external admiration. The unrecognized hunger behind resolution is the driving force.

As the champagne has gone flat, it’s time to turn your thoughts to the months ahead. Follow these trends to cultivate the long-term satisfaction you have been seeking.

#1. Authenticity.

Constant hustle for perfection is spreading savagely through society. And social media abuses the appetite for external praise.

How about incorporating some self-awareness?

Don’t follow the idealized world of social media. If it manipulates you into airbrushing your photos, counting likes to prove your worthiness, step away from the destructive habit of comparing yourself to alienated avatars.

Embrace your uniqueness, the quirky side.

Share the content that feels good to you, not the one that fits into patriarchal beauty standards. Your genuine features amidst the glamorous content will shine like a beacon of light. The right tribe will follow.

Authenticity despite the pressure to conform is a hallmark of self-consciousness.

Striving for perfection is a fleeting dopamine rush. That illusion is a devious manipulation aimed at feeding into the vulnerability of one’s ego. Either engage in social life reflecting your core values, or ditch the facade.

Life is too short to get by on the mediocre cravings of society.

#2. Selfishness.

Fat ‘no’ is making a comeback.

It seems we are looking for love in all the wrong places: social media, job status, aiming to impress, not to express. Time to jump off from this vicious rollercoaster.

It is okay to set boundaries, as they are the reflection of your self-care. Looking for constant validation is a sure way to lose your identity in it.

As a recovering people-pleaser, I have found it intimidating to refuse an invitation. Until I realized that honouring my priorities is a powerful tool for a successful life. If something does not align with your appetite, don’t engage.

Our environment becomes the statement of how we handle ourselves. Treat yourself with respect, and others will follow.

Happiness is not only about addition, but more about knowing what to decline. Eliminate the clutter from your life ruthlessly.

Which brings me to the next point…

#3. Be intentional with who and what you say yes to.

You have a limited amount of energy to spend. Agreeing to every offer and jumping through hoops at every request will only leave you depleted. It heightens your anxiety and hinders your growth.

When you stress about that draining relationship, you have less to invest in your creative pursuits. You become preoccupied with conflicts and would-be scenarios nagging your mind.

Dragging old friendships out of politeness will drag down your energy and attention span along with it. Don’t spread yourself too thin only to keep up the pretence of an outdated relationship.

Give a shit about meaningful connections and subjects worth your energy. They are a luxury. Plus, when you cut off the unnecessary, you make space for new to enter your life.

#4. Cultivate a meaningful relationship.

The one with yourself.

If you know how to be alone, eat alone, sleep alone without feeling uncomfortable, you are successful.

It is astounding that with 7.9 billion people, many still suffer from loneliness. It is not about the shortage of companions, but the inability to spend quality time on your own.

People run away from loneliness into shallow relationships, only to uncover more layers of solitude in it.

Dare to go to that coffee shop by yourself. Journal your feelings. Have it in black and white in front of you. Once you find yourself on these pages, you will uncover the strength of who you are — alone, not crowded with stuff or people. The process can be messy, but insanely worth it.

#5. Flexibility.

Don’t shy away from things that make you uncomfortable. But don’t spread yourself too thin.

Being open to growth means the person has courage and humility, enough to expand beyond their old limits.

— Yung Pueblo

Our bodies serve us best once we exercise flexibility. The same can be applied to our minds. They function more effectively when adjustable.

The brain is a plastic organ. Our perception tends to be not.

Experiment with new tastes. Try out different places for meetings. Don’t stick to the familiar spot. Give that unpopular book a try. A new topic may surprise you or spark new ideas. Have that difficult conversation with your family member and set boundaries. It may not be the most comfortable experience, but definitely, a new one that expands your horizons.

Embrace the change. Mental agility makes you younger, bolder and open to new possibilities.

#6. Focus on the now.

Mindfulness is all the rage right now, and for a reason. Science backs it up.

Our culture has an obsession with speed. Chasing the next moment is one of the most heavily-marketed acts society imposes on us.

It is easy to get attached to a constant stream of progress. People mistake business for success. When slowing down is as important as moving forwards.

Living in the “busy mode” switches off your ability to tap into what is going on beneath the surface. When you let your emotions be heard and have the courage to face them, you become resilient.

Stop living in the past. Self-growth happens when you choose that past experiences have no control over your mood.

The best time and place where you can learn to get in tune with the present moment is nature. Research has found that spending time in nature makes you more aware of the present moment and increases your life satisfaction.

#7. Give praise.

It seems like shaming enjoys a prime spot in today’s culture.

When somebody criticizes others, it is because

• They feel somehow inferior and try to compensate with spiteful comments to make themselves feel better.
• Criticism is a sign of downright manipulation. People want to control the situation by changing somebody else instead of improving themselves.
• They are unhappy with their lives, so they pinpoint every mistake. Whenever you judge, you feel somehow less. Less pretty. Less wealthy. Not enough.

Happy people don’t bring others down. There is ample evidence that giving compliments boosts your mood and well-being. The more you compliment, the better you feel.

I can live for two months on a good compliment.

— Mark Twain

It is all about reprogramming your mind. Gratitude alters your brain to be happier. Once you set your mind to positive aspects, it will scan the environment for constructive feedback. This is how you become a magnet for positivity.

I bet you know the feeling of receiving a genuine, kind-hearted compliment, right? Then be the reason somebody is feeling a little better today through your kind words.

Abandon your old shell.

New Year is a conventional date. You don’t need the 1st of January to start implementing new habits. This is another reason why New Year’s resolutions fail — the desire to change does not stem from within but is forced by a date in the calendar.

You can do that by abandoning your old self:

• the need for external approval
• limiting beliefs
• fear of loneliness
• people-pleasing tendencies
• draining relationships
• complaining by starting gratitude morning practice
• dwelling on the past

Small daily actions make long-term success possible. How you feel about your day sets the tone for tomorrow.

You can decide today that you want to go out into the world and present a new, authentic you.

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