On Making Lasting Change

As we move into the second month of the year. The erratic nights and sleepy mornings of Christmas bleeding into the New Year feel far behind us. Gradually starting the year again, the streets are filled with the familiar hum of peak hour traffic once more, office lights are switched on again as we begin to fall into the rhythms of daily life.

What did we say during the ambition of the new year? Those declarations of self-improvement we discussed in those early days of January. The reflections we made of the previous twelve months, swearing that this would be the turning point. That this new year, this timepiece of change would somehow give us the strength, the motivation, maybe the clarity to finally make lasting change.

The truth is, and the statistics show, that by the first week of February 43% of New Year’s Resolutions have already been forgotten, given up on, left unfulfilled. But perhaps the real issue isn’t a lack of discipline, or the lack of a desire to change, nor is it the wonderful mindset of being too optimistic at a time so symbolic of new beginnings and transformation.

What if the key to lasting change wasn’t in doing more, but in refining our focus?

After all, shouldn’t we capitalise on the renewed vigour at beginning of the year? Those first few weeks that bring a sense of renewal—a shift to a new stage in life. Anything we couldn’t reach or perceive in the previous chapter now comes into focus. We have the opportunity to acknowledge it, course correct, and realign our compass for the next twelve months ahead.

This process of realigning, re-examining, and reassessing, or simply thinking critically about what we want our lives to be, is what inspires the well-known tradition of New Year's resolutions. This past month, as with the tradition of the new year, I too, have been reflecting on change.

During October of last year, I had the opportunity to travel through Japan, exploring some of the best natural hot springs that this world has to offer (so many wonderful experiences and feng shui insights here that will need to have their own story someday). It was during my travels that I was introduced to

the tradition

of

kakizome.

A practice of welcoming the new year in Japan, involving the critical analysis of the one thing you wish to move towards in the new year. This desire is captured in a singular auspicious word or short Japanese poetry such as haiku that the individual writes to embody the theme of the year ahead.

Immediately, I was drawn to this practice. Creating a singular word or poem requires a singular theme for your goals, this medium forces you to be very discerning of that one great pivot that you would like to enact this year. (Speaking of: The Pivot Year is a great book to read for some goal setting, new trajectory moving inspiration)

In contrast to our western idea of new year’s resolutions, this practice changes our experience of goal setting and self-improvement in these different ways:

• Removes the probability of having disconnected or opposing goals. As we break down our word or poem into smaller components, we are assured that each small step is in alignment with our overarching desire for self-improvement.

• Through being highly selective we quickly discard the resolutions that are the nice ‘what if’s’ but are not truly valued by yourself.  (Remember when you said you’d learn Spanish in 2018?)

• Studies show that 43% of people still give up on their new year’s resolution by the first week of February. A singular overarching goal is something you can ease yourself into throughout the year. It is a gentler approach to goal setting, underpinned by the understanding that true change takes time, takes some wins and some losses before it is truly integrated into your life.

• By choosing a singular goal that you truly value you are more likely to take significant action. Our self-image of being someone who takes action, is accountable and successful increases, thereby increasing our sense of satisfaction, confidence and self-belief.

So, if you feel stagnant on your journey of spiritual evolution and self-improvement or feel overwhelmed by the long non-cohesive list of new year’s resolutions, perhaps this practice, a small shift in focus could be the change that will allow you to truly grow and bloom in 2025.

I invite us all to really consider:

What word or poem are you choosing this year?

How will you actualise this?

How will this theme bring you joy or growth?

Let us ease into the new year, be gentle on ourselves, embrace the slow yet steady change that takes root in our lives. This year we will give ourselves the time, space and clarity of mind to create shifts that lead us toward a more fulfilled and intentional life.