In just a few days, we welcome in a new year, 2022.   A new year means new year’s eve celebrations  or a quiet night at home.  For others it’s just a change on the calendar and to remember putting 2022 on documents vs 2021.

It also can mean 

• New year’s resolutions,
• A fresh start, and
• Thinking back on the last year.

For me the New Year is all of these combined.  As  caregivers , we can think through these to improve our situations.

1.  New Year’s Resolutions.  Take them or leave them.   So if you are setting a new year’s resolution think through your thoughts, motivation and commitment.

For me this year, I’m choosing a word of focus.  I love the idea of choosing a Word of the Year vs. New Year’s Resolution because it helps bring focus and clarity to what we want to create in our lives.

Here are a few easy steps to choosing your word of the year.

• Reflect on this past year and ask yourself questions.  What could I use more of in my life and caregiver life?  What could I use less of in my life and caregiver life?  What characteristics would I like to have?  By the end of the day, I feel (fill in the blank).  How do I want to feel?
• Visualize what the perfect day would feel like. 
• Create a list of the words that come to mind, no self-editing! 
• Review and refine your list  Do any of the words jump out at you, make you feel excited, nervous, scared, uncomfortable, or at ease? Sometimes the words that scare us most can mean we’re on the right track because change isn’t always easy. At the same time, I think finding your word can also bring peace and empowerment.  Think about the words, try them on, and see what feels right. 

 What’s your 2022 Word of the Year?  Which word can you say you’re 100% committed to? Choose that 1 or 3.     

 2.  Next a new year can mean a fresh start.  A new year is a new beginning. It's like a new birth.  As the new year begins, we feel that we need to make changes in our life, start on a new path, do new things, and say goodbye to old habits, problems and difficulties.

Often, we start making new plans and new resolutions. We might feel elated, inspired and hopeful, but sometimes also apprehensive.

But this may be time to make changes.   It may be your time to look at what’s work and what’s not working.  You could even get your loved one involved.    

3. The most impactful to do this time of year is reflecting back on the year.   Whether this year is one that you want to say good-bye to or one that you thought was one of your best year’s ever, it’s really impactful to think back on it.   

• What were the highlights of the year?   The happy celebrations (weddings, birthdays, babies, anniversaries, etc)  
• What were the challenges, sad times, hard times and more?   This may bring back some tears and emotions.    But there is something therapeutic about writing things out.  
• Now, write down your proud moments.  What make you proud of YOU?  Your accomplishments, your strength and courage, your drive,  what you were able to overcome.  
• What are you grateful for in 2021.   End with this one.  All your gratitude in 2021.   This may be the same as a highlight but it also may be for your garden, walks, or your parent or loved one or your doctor team or a friend.    Those people you have in your life now that you didn’t have in 2020.  

The new year can be a great fresh start or a time to reflect and a time for change.  Take one of these today and walk into 2022 with joy, positivity and purpose.