9 Ways To Protect Your Peace In The New Year

With all the craziness in the world, protecting your peace is more important than ever. There are so many things pulling you in different directions and competing for your energy that controlling your headspace is crucial to your well-being. But achieving inner peace is not something that happens overnight. It requires intention, awareness, and practice. Keep reading to learn 9 ways to protect your peace in the new year.

The older I get, the more I value peace of mind over everything. Maturity and experience have taught me that life gets better when you learn to tap into your calm, listen to your voice, and lead with your heart. It doesn’t mean you no longer experience all the chaos that life brings. It just means you know how to access your inner calm to quiet the noise. It also means that you take the necessary action to remove anything that negatively affects your life, causes you stress, or just isn’t working for you anymore.

 

9 Ways To Protect Your Peace In The New Year

 

1. Set boundaries

Think of boundaries as invisible fences between you and the people in your life. You get to decide who you let in and what they are allowed to do once they are inside. You have the right to determine what you will and will not accept in your life. Setting healthy boundaries helps you protect your physical, mental, and emotional well-being and prevent feelings of resentment, anger, and burnout. But it’s not easy to set boundaries, especially when others are used to you not having any. Establishing boundaries to protect your peace in the new year can look like…

• Clearly communicating your comfort level in any given situation
• Saying “no” without feeling the need to justify or explain why
• Knowing when to be flexible and when to stand firm when your safety or mental health is at risk
• Acknowledging and prioritizing your needs before others

Take some time to write down the boundaries you want to set in your personal and professional life. Then practice in front of a mirror expressing how you will communicate these boundaries to your family, friends, and colleagues.

 

2. Avoid toxic people

 The word “toxic” is often used to describe relationships. But what does it really mean? A toxic relationship is defined as:

“Any relationship between people who don’t support each other, where there’s conflict, and one seeks to undermine the other, where there’s competition, where there’s disrespect and a lack of cohesiveness.”

Whether it’s your partner, your friend, or your boss, a toxic relationship can drain your energy and suck the life out of you. Some people have a habit of getting into toxic relationships and staying way too long. Does that sound like any of your past or present relationships? If your answer is yes, here are a few things you can do to remove them from your life:

Forgive, but don’t forget. Understand that forgiving someone doesn’t mean you have to have them in your life. It can also mean you have closure and are ready to move on with your life.

See number one. Setting boundaries is key to getting toxic people out of your life.

Distance yourself. Spend less time with them or cut them off completely.

Don’t get caught up in the drama. These folks feed off drama, chaos, and crisis. Don’t let them use this tactic to pull you back into their lives.

Change your circle. Start spending more time with positive, supportive people.

 

3. Avoid upsetting media

Sometimes protecting your peace means putting your phone down and turning your tv off. Negative media stories and social media comparisons can leave you feeling anxious, depressed and your lower self-esteem. Take control of your media exposure by limiting the amount of news you consume daily, turning off news notifications on your phone, and practicing deep breathing exercises when you see or hear a troubling news story. Limit the amount of time you spend on social media, going offline at least 30 minutes before bedtime, and make an effort to talk to friends or meet up in person.

 

4. Ignore the opinions of others

It’s human nature to want approval from family, friends, and even total strangers. But approval-seeking can cause you to prioritize the opinions of others over your own wants and needs. While it is normal to occasionally ask the opinion of people you respect, valuing outside opinions can cause you to…

• Compromise your beliefs and values
• Asking permission even when you are the decision maker
• Avoid making decisions that others might disapprove of
• Abandon your goals, dreams, or hobbies
• Being afraid to say “no”
• Not standing up for yourself
• Apologize unnecessarily

Set yourself free by letting go of anyone else’s expectations of you and focus on the only opinion that matters—yours!

 

5. Practice self-care

Incorporating self-care into your daily routine is necessary for your well-being. But self-care is about more than pampering yourself. It’s about taking intentional steps to optimize mental, emotional, and physical health. Prioritizing self-care by doing something that eases your stress every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. This could include:

•  Enjoying a quiet cup of coffee or tea
• Closing your eyes and take a few deep breaths to calm down
• Dancing
• Writing in your journal
• Going for a walk or run
• Listening to a podcast or audiobook
• Singing your heart out to your favorite playlist

 

6. Follow a morning routine

Starting a healthy morning routine has given me more control of my schedule and lowered my stress. And when I stray from it for whatever reason, I feel out of balance. A morning routine can make all the difference in increasing your energy, productivity, and positivity. Try this healthy morning routine to help you begin your day peaceful, organized and with a positive attitude.

 

7. Get more rest

Every woman I know is exhausted! With so much on our plates, getting a good night’s sleep can be challenging. Making a lifestyle change to include a good sleep routine can help your mind and body relax before bedtime. When you make sleep a priority, it will benefit your overall health, leaving you feeling awake and refreshed throughout the day.

 

 8. Know when to leave

While a tenacious “never give up” mentality is generally admired, there is something to be said for those who have the courage to leave. That means giving yourself permission to walk away from a job, a relationship, a friendship, or any situation that no longer serves you. Sometimes we put so much effort into a thing we feel we have to see it through and make it work no matter the cost. But when that effort comes with stress, anxiety, depression, and guilt, it’s time to move on. Make this the year that you abandon anything in your life that is taking more energy than you are getting from it. And know it’s ok if people in your life don’t understand or agree with your decision. Remember #4—your opinion is the only one that matters.

 

9. Practice gratitude

Practicing gratitude doesn’t take much time or money, but the benefits are boundless. Gratitude is about being present and appreciating each moment with what you have. When you are thankful for everything, even the smallest thing, your brain and body will thank you with peace and happiness. You can experience the benefits of gratitude by… 

• Starting each day writing down three things you are grateful for
• Developing the habit of finding the good in every life experience
• Sharing your positive thoughts with others and letting them know how much they mean to you
• Focusing more on the present rather than the past or the future

 

Now is the perfect time to stop letting outside circumstances influence your inner peace. Realize that you don’t owe anybody anything. Not your love, not your time, or your energy. Ignore. Block. Unplug. Say no. Let go. Your peace of mind is everything. Do whatever you need to protect your peace in the new year.

 

Be inspired,