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How to Make 2017 Your Best Year Yet

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How to Make 2017 Your Best Year Yet

And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Do you believe in New Year’s resolutions? I  love change, I love learning, I love growing as a person and I have to say that I kinda like getting older too. But I don’t think I like the term “resolutions” (which is probably because it reminds of all those years that I’ve failed at them). Do you know that only about 8% of people reach their New Year’s resolutions? Let’s do ourselves a favor then, and call them “goals.”

With the new year, there’s this fresh energy in the air and it’s a great opportunity to make some small (or big) changes in your life.

GET ORGANIZED

While new year is perfect time for a fresh start, the end of year is a perfect time to get organized. Get rid of all the clutter and everything else that no longer serves you. Old bills, papers, old magazines. Clean your car (I just found about 15 water bottles sitting around somewhere under my car seats). Do the same thing with your closet: get rid of all the clothes that you no longer wear, donate whatever you can. Go through all of your handbags; throw away all those old receipts and other bits that found their way in  and have been stuck in there for months. Do the same thing with your pantry, kitchen and your digital space. How much junk email are you getting at the moment? Unsubscribe from all services/websites you no longer use and visit, delete unused apps and old images you no longer need from your phone. De-clutter your life now, and set yourself up for success! It will feel SO good.

BE PREPARED

Failure to prepare is preparing to fail. I just told you how great getting rid of all of the clutter feels, but here’s the thing: you cannot wait until “Monday” or “tomorrow” or “next week”. Do them NOW. Start today. If one of your goals is to eat healthier, make sure that you get rid of any junk food you have sitting around. If you want to live a more positive, happy life, stop complaining TODAY. Make a list of the things you love, instead of complaining about the things you don’t have or don’t get to do. Whatever your goals are, make sure you have a plan, make sure you’re prepared, keep a journal, wake up early and get s**t done.

CREATE A VISION

Your goal (or goals) can’t be just a vague desire. If you want to make any type of change, you need to define your goals. Every December I create a vision board for the new year to come. While getting rid of all of those old magazines that I have sitting around, I go through every single one of them, looking for pictures, quotes or text, articles that inspire me, I cut them out, I glue them to a white cardboard, and I hang it up in my office. As I drink my tea every morning, as I get ready for the day and check my emails, one of the first things I do, is look at my vision board. Every time I look at it, I feel inspired and motivated. This is also a fun thing to do with your kids. I helped one of my friend’s create a vision board for her daughter and all three of us had so much fun doing it.

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STAY PERSISTENT

Whatever it is that you’re after, whether it be a really small, or a drastic change, keep pushing and don’t give up. Don’t doubt yourself. Never, ever talk about the things you want to accomplish in a negative light (i.e. “I’ll never be able to____ because ____“). This is not only a biggest turnoff but it also sends out a message: “I don’t believe in myself.” If you come across some sort of a roadblock, go around it, find another way.

The secret to happiness and peace is letting every situation be what it is, instead of what you think it should be and making the best of it.”

You may not have control over everything that happens to you, but you do have control over how you react to things that happen to you. This won’t always be easy. Sometimes very unfair things will happen to you. Sometimes you can find yourself feeling angry and frustrated. When things like these happen to you, you have two choices: you can let it get to you and keep the anger and frustration inside, or you can release it and try your best to find peace in those situations and move on.

FOLLOW YOUR BLISS

“Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.”  ~Joseph Campbell

Following your bliss means doing what fulfills you, it means following your heart, your desires, your passion. We all have big dreams, but you can start by doing small things you love while chasing those big, beautiful dreams. Remember, that you were meant to have an amazing life, even if doesn’t always feel like it. Learn to forgive. Practice gratitude daily. Do the things you love. Stop worrying about what everyone else is doing. Don’t complain. Cherish the close people around you. Make mistakes. Learn. Dance (even if it’s just you alone, in the kitchen). Smile. Listen to your heart and don’t take yourself too seriously. Spread your sparkle. Practice self-care, do small things for others, but also for yourself.

Above all, stay focused, but remember to have fun along the way.

 

51 Comments

  • Reply
    Laura Mareno
    December 31, 2016 at 11:16 am

    Beautiful post! You always inspire me so much! Happy new year:D

    https://laurasavenue.blogspot.de/

  • Reply
    Phoebida x
    December 31, 2016 at 11:37 am

    Great post! So excited for a fresh start in 2017. Happy new year Paula xxx

    Phoebe & Abida | phoebida.blogspot.co.uk

  • Reply
    Victoria Goodman
    December 31, 2016 at 12:05 pm

    Such a brilliant post! You have definitely inspired me I make 2017 the best year! Happy New Year! X

    Victoria | VictoriaaHelenn

  • Reply
    Elishia
    December 31, 2016 at 12:29 pm

    My main goal this year is ‘to not live in fear’ – I live life wishing I could do something and then I often don’t do it because I’m worried that it won’t work and about what people will think of me. I’m aiming to head into 2017 as a bolder person and hopefully it’ll help with all of the above improvements you mentioned! Thanks for all your hard work this year Paula, I really do love your content!

    http://www.englishgirlinnewyork.org

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 3, 2017 at 8:45 am

      Love that, Elishia. Stepping out of your comfort zone is very scary, but it’s also one of the only ways to grow and change. I wish you best of luck. Feel the fear and do it anyway :) x

  • Reply
    Lauren Victoria
    December 31, 2016 at 12:59 pm

    This is such a fantastic post to end 2016 and go into 2017 with! I’m definitely going to be more positive in 2017 and keep working hard to achieve the things I want to. Best wishes xx

    Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.blogspot.co.uk

  • Reply
    Paula Loreti
    December 31, 2016 at 2:08 pm

    This was such a empowering post!! You put me in such a good mood to rock this new year, thanks Paula!

    http://www.blossomikebana.com

  • Reply
    Natalie Harney
    December 31, 2016 at 4:13 pm

    Love this – 2017 IS going to be my best year yet

    – Natalie
    http://www.workovereasy.com

  • Reply
    Katie @ Over The Moony
    December 31, 2016 at 10:55 pm

    I love looking at them as goals and not resolutions. I feel like resolutions are so vague whereas goals you can get in there and be specific about what you want and when you want it by. They’re essentially the same things but goals just seem so much more manageable.

    That water bottle struggle is REAL. I have so many in my car! I will be cleaning up so much. Since I moved in January I have yet to unbox most of my stuff and I’ve been able to live fine without it! My Mom volunteers at a thrift shop so I always have someone to send my stuff to. Makes life a ton easier!

    Katie | http://www.overthemoony.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 3, 2017 at 8:48 am

      That’s a great idea, Katie! I think that we all probably have a lot of things we could totally live without and we probably don’t even realize it.

  • Reply
    Sarah
    January 1, 2017 at 2:03 am

    Really empowering post! I truly believe that attitude to life is important and being grateful is definitely a great way to start. Happy 2017 Paula!!!

    Sarah // Beautybyrah

  • Reply
    Ambar Syed
    January 1, 2017 at 2:40 am

    Some really great ideas – I will be trying my best to do all of these for the new year! I hope you’ve had a lovely start to 2017, and that this year is full of happiness and success for you Paula.
    – Ambar x
    http://www.herlittleloves.co.uk

  • Reply
    Darina
    January 1, 2017 at 7:29 am

    Lovely post to start the New Year! Very inspiring! I wish you all the best for 2017!

  • Reply
    Shii Sakai
    January 1, 2017 at 10:25 am

    I agree and I call them goals rather than resolutions for the same reason!!
    I think staying persistent is really important too:)
    Hope you have a lovely new years!

    Shii x
    plumsandseasalt.com

  • Reply
    Frances Kayleigh
    January 1, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    I love having a clearout! Makes me feel so on top on everything! xx

    franceskayleigh.com

  • Reply
    charlotte samantha
    January 1, 2017 at 4:08 pm

    I LOVE this post!! so many truths, why start tomorrow when you can start right NOW!

    CharlotteSamantha

  • Reply
    Jess | The Indigo Hours
    January 1, 2017 at 5:22 pm

    I did “goals” instead of “resolutions” last year and had so much more success! You can’t beat a good clear-out to start the year off right :) Happy new year! ♥

  • Reply
    Samantha Frances
    January 1, 2017 at 7:01 pm

    ‘Wake up early and get sh*t done’, I loved this Paula! I’m currently in the midst of having a declutter and every bit of progress I make feels like a breath of fresh air. I’m feeling so good about the coming year and I’m looking forward to reading your posts and gaining inspiration as always! <3 xxx
    http://www.samanthafrances.co.uk

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 3, 2017 at 8:54 am

      Thank you so much Samantha, I hope this new year brings you a ton of happiness and wonderful opportunities! x

  • Reply
    Trecee Hutchinson
    January 1, 2017 at 10:56 pm

    Wow I love this post! A great way to start off the New Year!

    http://treceefabulous.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    Serein
    January 1, 2017 at 11:37 pm

    Thank you for this Paula :-) Love the breakdown and inspiring me to stick to my goals.
    xoxo
    Serein
    http://sereinwu.com/

  • Reply
    Kiss & Make-up
    January 2, 2017 at 5:31 am

    2017 is going to bring a ton of change for me. And I’m excited and scared at the same time. I needed to read this, thanks.

  • Reply
    Nikoleta Ljuljduraj
    January 2, 2017 at 1:53 pm

    Happy New Year everyone! I’m very excited for this year and also prepared for new challenges. I want to stick to my goals!

    Great post!

    N, xoxo.
    https://nljuljduraj.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Kristina Wilde
    January 2, 2017 at 3:17 pm

    Happy New Year babe! Still one of my all time favorite blogs! Keeping rockin it and can’t wait to see what 2017 brings! xo

  • Reply
    Yvonne Ashon
    January 2, 2017 at 5:53 pm

    Happy new year! Enjoy babe
    http://www.yourbeautypantry.com

  • Reply
    Aleksandra // bunniesaremagic
    January 3, 2017 at 3:41 am

    It’s all about small steps, isn’t it? Especially around New Year’s, we go around looking for big changes and big challenges without realizing that very rarely in life things change drastically all at once – and that can be sooo discouraging :)

  • Reply
    Ela BellaWorld
    January 3, 2017 at 6:41 am

    I also don’t believe in resolutions, that’s why I prefer to call them goals, it makes everything easier and less stressful :) I went through most of the things before he new year but there are still so much to do and throw away, new year, new beginning, right? Creative vision is something I need as well, at least seeing something all the time would give me the confidence to actually move my a** and actually do something about it. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Happy 2017, Paula!

    Ela BellaWorld

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 3, 2017 at 8:58 am

      It definitely does! I think calling them goals makes all the difference. Wishing you all the best in 2017, Ela!

  • Reply
    Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
    January 3, 2017 at 8:52 am

    Thank you so much Helene, so glad you enjoyed this post. Thank you for such a sweet comment, wishing you all the best in 2017. x

  • Reply
    The Gossip Darling
    January 5, 2017 at 10:35 am

    Getting organized and staying focused is #1 for me! Great list!!

    Mel | http://www.thegossipdarling.com

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