What we’re committing to in the new year.
Although we believe that every day is the chance to make a change – resolutions, as we all know, tend to get broken – the annual transition in the new year does give us a clean slate. It’s a time of reflection and renewal, the chance to move forward with better intentions, more energy and a new creative spirit.
To celebrate this transition, we gathered New Year’s tips from the EcoSalon team. They’re not resolutions, simply thoughts on living, loving and breathing better in the coming year.
Here’s what we came up with:
My rules to live by in 2012: Unkink whatever’s tight, be on time every time, write words people want to read, refuse to date bad kissers, wear high heels and don’t go foolin’ folks. –Sara Ost
Don’t make your New Year’s resolution about you. Before last year, my resolutions had always fallen in the self-improvement vein: “exercise more,” “eat healthier,” and “quit biting my nails” (16 years and counting!). Last year, I decided to make just one resolution, and it wasn’t about me. I resolved to be more conscious about how my spending habits affect other people and the environment. Over the last year, the resolution has snowballed, resulting in less consumption, more environmental awareness, better eating habits, and ultimately a career change, move to Southeast Asia, and new small business. This year was one of fundamental growth, and it started by thinking less about my world and more about the world around me. –Jessica Marati
I’m going into 2012 with an open heart and by open heart I mean, if I see you and I like you I’m going to tell you how wonderful you are. And if I don’t like you, I’m going to shut my mouth. –Amy DuFault
This tip is really from my father: Every day when you wake up you have a choice – you can choose to be in a bad mood and make it a bad day or you can choose to be in a good mood and make it a good day. Always choose happiness. It’s so simple, and if you give it you will get it. –Johanna Björk
Make a point of stopping for a moment every day, however busy or stressed you are: take 10 minutes to sit down with a cup of something and R-E-L-A-X. Pause the brain and body. Not at the computer, or with the TV or radio on. Just clear your mind, let the peace wash over and invigorate you, and then start anew. –Fiona Flores Watson
My motto for the year is, “get up to something and get on with it.” No more lingering about after the alarm bell has sounded. Greet each day with the promise that you will live it in action and with intention. If you’re going to write a book, save the world, start a project, trim your thighs, quit smoking, get more exercise, find yourself, so on and so forth – just get on with it already! Time’s a wasting. –K. Emily Bond
Be intentional so that you can bring passion and creativity into everything that you do. And of course, as my mother says: celebrate often. –Anna Brones
For 2012, I hope to continue my ongoing pursuit of doing a better job of being present. “Just this, just this, this room where we are. Pay attention to that. Pay attention to who’s there, pay attention to what isn’t known there, pay attention to what is known there, pay attention to what everyone is thinking and feeling, what you’re doing there, and pay attention. Pay attention.” – W.S. Merwin, The Buddha –Scott Adelson
I heard this acronym the other day that I keep saying to myself. Hope – h- help, o-other, p-people, e- everyday. I’d like to try to live up to this in 2012! Happy new year! –Sofie Sausser
Forget resolutions, just promise yourself that you’re going to do one big thing that will make your life happier. The details of that goal might change every single month, and all the better, as long as you ultimately accomplish something good. Last year, for me, was all about letting go of expectations and this year I’m committing to being more active in every way: getting outdoors more often, starting more creative projects, being more involved in the community and just generally becoming more present and engaged. –Stephanie Rogers
I’d like to continue lurching into adulthood, I suppose. Be on time to all things? Also, I vow to spend more time on the Internet. –Mallory Ortberg
Get things wrong. Screw up on a regular basis. Why? Because it’s the only road to wisdom, and the only way to learn something deep enough to sink into your habitual DNA. Also? It’s embarrassing. So get it out the way, quick. –Mike Sowden
“The cure for the ill is not to sit still or browse with a book by the fire; but to take a large hoe and a shovel also, and dig till you gently perspire.” –Kipling. I resolve to dig into the soil in 2012 and become a healthy gardener, hoping the Kipling path will let me not only heal but also heal others along the way. –Luanne Bradley
Lay down on the earth every chance you can, go barefoot outdoors as much as possible, and spend time in nature to keep your mind in order. –Abigail Wick
At the beginning of a new year, I used to list things I wanted to improve or accomplish during the year. I always kept my list secret, but it often included simple things like I should start exercising or touch up my English. But I also had more drastic goals such as quitting my job and start working on something totally different. During the year the list was tucked away and almost forgotten. In the beginning of the following year when it was time to make a new list, the old list was read. I was always amazed how many things from the list I actually fulfilled. –Johanna Kindvall
Erica Jong said: “Fling yourself in the flow. Don’t be afraid. The whole logic of the universe is contained in daring.” –Jane F. King Doe
Image: kevin dooley