Three Simple Ways To Transform Yourself This Year

New beginnings can happen any time of the year.

You don’t have to wait for midnight on December 31st to transform your life. While it’s a helpful marker and reminder of new beginnings, transformation can happen any day of the year. And at any hour of the day.

Why transform?

Maybe you’re in a rut. Maybe you’re tired of how things have been going lately. Perhaps something unhealthy is happening in your life, and you need to change to survive.

Whatever your need, transformation doesn’t have to be big and complicated. It can be as simple as these three things:

Experiment With a Visible Change

This was something I did a couple of years ago, and it made a significant impact on my life.

For most of my life, I had long hair. It was my thing.

But getting older happens, and one thing that happens is hair loss. What was once a luxurious mane of long, thick hair, I began t experience severe thinning on top.

Oh, I tried to deny it and hide it for a while, but it eventually became impossible to ignore.

So I shaved my head.

I went from long hair to no hair. I joined the ranks of men with a shaved pate.

The result? Silly as it might sound, but I felt overall better about myself. Maybe it was the control I took over how my head looked. Perhaps it was freeing myself with the low-grade anxiety of thinning hair. Maybe it was embracing the masculinity associated with being bald.

That’s apparently a thing now.

I’m not suggesting you shave your head this year–unless you want to. What I am suggesting, however, is taking an active hand and trying something new and, perhaps, radical in your appearance.

This could mean an entirely new wardrobe. A different hairstyle. A tattoo or two. It could even mean eyeglasses with a new type of frame.

You’ll be surprised how much a visible change like this can give you a sense of having a fresh start.

Be bold. You’re in charge.

Treat Yourself

This can be a little tricky, so close to the end of the holiday season. I know I’m paying off a lot of bills right now, but in a month or so, I should be able to indulge myself in a nice treat.

I’m thinking of a selection of fancy cheeses from that shop down in Westerly.

Or a couple of new record albums. Or that super-nice pen set I’ve had my eye on for a while. Or a year’s membership to the Mystic Aquarium.

I deserve a treat.

But how is treating myself transformative?

For one thing, it acknowledges that I’m worthy of a treat,

And I am.

So are you.

It’s been a rough couple of years. You’ve put up with a lot. Rather than facing another year of enduring all the hassles of the pandemic, the economy, and political messes, give yourself a gift.

It doesn’t even have to cost much. Treating yourself could be as simple as blocking out some time to visit a favorite museum. Or calling up some old friends. Or having a game night with your family.

Whatever makes you feel good.

Doing this can change the tone for the whole year–especially if you make an effort to keep treating and being kind to yourself.

That can make a huge difference in how the rest of your year goes.

Try a New Hobby… and Don’t Monetize It

I get it.

The “new economy” is a bit of a mess, and it seems either a waste not to monetize a hobby or miss an opportunity to make some side cash with a side hustle.

I’ve done it on occasion.

I used to paint and then sell my work on the art festival circuit. But over time, I found myself not enjoying it. I was doing my hobby for other people and not myself.

I eventually dropped the whole thing. I still have a lot of my supplies, but I’ve not felt the call to paint for a while.

Nowadays, my favorite hobby is drawing dungeon maps for roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons. I have some very nice pens and some nice paper and spend a lot of time drawing intricate maps to places that don’t exist.

People make money doing this. They also make money writing adventures, creating character compendiums, and other roleplaying game resources.

Thus far, I’ve resisted the temptation. I like my hobby. My side hustles have nothing to do with the hobbies I engage in to relax.

This is a great time to take up something you can enjoy and relax with–but without the distraction, pressure, or obligation to make it a money-making venture.

Take up chess. Learn to play the banjo. Collect stamps. Get into European-style board games. Make homemade pickles and share them (not sell them) with friends.

Hobbies are great ways to meet new people, learn new skills, and boost creativity–all for yourself. Not for someone else. It’ll make you a more rounded person and, I honestly believe, happier.

Positive Transformtions

There’s a lot to be said for change and new beginnings. It can be energizing. It can be healing.

But don’t stress about it.

Whatever or however you decide to transform yourself, enjoy it and embrace the positive. It’s been a long couple of years, and it looks like we still have some challenges ahead.

It’s essential to look out for yourself as much as it’s important to keep an eye on each other’s wellbeing.

If we all try to transform positively, maybe we’ll come out of all this all right after all.

Cheers!

About John Teehan

John lives in Rhode Island with his wife, son, and dog. He specializes in tech, health, business, parenting, pop culture, and gaming. Visit wordsbyjohn.net for more info and rates. Twitter: @WordsByJohn2