As we approach the NY, it is a natural time to review what went well in the past year, what we are grateful for and perhaps also what we still need to work on or whether it is still desirable. Change is everywhere in matter, and time, internal and external events and yet we seem to be attached to our thoughts as if they were static. Our thoughts may well be partly how we define ourselves but aren't our thoughts also permitted to change?

Space or rather the feeling of spaciousness – or open mindedness – is perhaps what we need to feel so we can invite ourselves to take time to reflect and review where we have been, where we are and where we are heading. We may need a method, or inspiration to do so, such as looking at the 8 Forms of Wealth, a helpful categorisation to identify what we value in life according to writer and speaker Robin Sharma. Or we may decide to jot down everything that we do and hold a diary of a typical week to see how we actually spend our time. This can then be analysed and categorised and further reflection can go on, especially if the findings aren't in line with our expectations (ref. Chris Bailey categorises activities in ‘high dopamine vs low dopamine’; whilst James Clear suggests to categorise in helpful ‘versus not helpful’ then also sub categorise in spiritual, wealth& health, purpose and fun)

Along with such reflective work, we need to give ourselves the permission to notice, to observe, to look at our thoughts and findings and validate or invalidate our next steps, with no judgment or expectation, taking our time to reconsider our points at several different moments, giving ourselves the permission make mistakes as findings could change from one day to the next based on our moods and inspiration. Nothing is set in stone. I am amazed at how much of our day to day experience of life is tinted by flippant moods and ruminated thoughts.

Ruminated thoughts or stagnant thoughts can also be looked at with a view to take them through a liberating purge, because a multitude of ‘same undealt with thoughts’ actually consume mental space.

Mental space, clarity of mind, and freedom of thoughts feels like an attractive aim for 2025. I am in the mood for tangible experiences for instance, can you find one example of an old ruminating thought that used to come through your mind, take space, pollute it for a bit and affect your mood, and possibly your relationships at home, but that does not bother you anymore?

Can you perhaps find other examples of such (usually cause and effect) thoughts that are still present and work on them by end of January so that you have taken control, dealt with it or regain that mental space, and mood for the best? Write it down. Now that’s power and agency !:-)

I have also been enlightened by the 5 Life rules of Anita Moorjani, who reminds us to ‘Seek delight in everything’, to claim agency over our lives, to live our lives fearlessly and recognise that we have choices. More empowerment and agency ! 🙂

In our Yoga practice this January, I am looking forward to play with all of these ideas, methods and tips that can help us bring more awareness to what we want and desire, and use space and clarity of mind to get a bit closer, one step at a time.