I’m an anti-New-Year-resolutioner (I made that term up, obviously). I really don’t like making New Year’s resolutions because I never stick to them and then it makes me feel bad about myself.

So instead, when a new year comes around, I look back on the past year and pat myself on the back for everything I’ve achieved and for all the challenges I’ve faced and managed to get through.

Of course it’s in our nature as humans to want a fresh start … like I’ll start my sugar-free diet on Monday, or I’ll go through my wardrobe on the first day of spring, and so on. But not me. My mantra is ’seize the day’!

Rather than making New Year resolutions that promise I’ll do more exercise and eat less sugar for example, I just have daily affirmations that focus on my general wellbeing. When self care and wellbeing are my general aim, somehow more exercise and good eating just happen naturally. I seem to get better sleep, live more mindfully and generally feel more positive (even during these scary COVID times).

10 Daily Affirmations

Apparently, daily affirmations help rewire our brains, build self esteem and change negative thought patterns. So these are 10 of my affirmations based around ‘seizing the day’ (and the cheesier the better, I say):

• Take one day at a time. 
• Every day is a fresh start.
• Don’t worry about what went wrong yesterday; today is a new day.
• I free myself from yesterday and will enjoy the gift of today.
• I’m doing my best and that’s good enough.
• Today is going to be the best day ever.
• I’m not perfect, but I’m pretty great.
• Good things are going to happen today.
• Today I will take care of myself.
• I will be kind to myself and others today.

I believe that just being your genuine self makes life so much easier – nobody can be 100% positive every single day.  So on my not-so-cheery days, I like to have lots of quiet time to myself. It’s often my body telling me I need some extra rest, so I listen to it. I’m much better for it the next day, when I can start fresh again and that’s okay. Or maybe I’m half way through a day and it suddenly turns pear-shaped – that’s when I also give myself permission to stop whatever I’m doing, take some deep breaths and start again tomorrow.

Speaking of being my genuine self, I decided a while ago that I would openly share my art and creativity without worrying too much about whether I think I’m good enough or not. And guess what happened?

I got published!

Yep, I got published in the amazing Uppercase Magazine! I’m so chuffed … it’s such a gorgeous publication. This really started my year off with a bang and I’m hoping it’s just a taste of things to come!

Hope 2022 has started with a bang for you too…let me know in the comments. Would love to cheer you on!

Jennifer xo

‘Never stop dreaming!’