Chinese Lunar New Year:
5 Steps for a Second Chance at New Beginnings

by Linda Varone, RN, MA, CFS

Are your New Year’s Resolutions fading fast? A great way to support your resolutions is to create space that will support new habits, routines and activities.  When you have the space to act on your goal it will be a lot easier and more enjoyable too.

Chinese New Year is traditionally a time to clean out the old and set the stage for Good Luck in the New Year. So how about borrowing the date, Wednesday February 9^th, and the tradition?  Give yourself another chance at making those resolutions a part of your life.

1. Clear out the old

Decluttering and cleaning.  Motivate yourself with the thought that you are not just cleaning, but creating the space for positive changes: healthy eating, exercise, meditation, projects, better record keeping, simple self-indulgences, etc. Picture in your mind your resolution, how you want to do it, and how the space for it will look. You get the idea. Clear out to create space for the best You. As you declutter you will be getting rid of old tired energy and making room for new energy; a new present and future. Just as decluttering helps to get rid of stuck energy, it goes a long way to helping you get un-stuck in your life.

Ask yourself:

          Have I used it in the last year? (This allows for seasons and holidays.) If “no”, then your chances of using it this coming year are low to none. Let it go.

          How do I feel when I am wearing this? “Fantastic”, “OK” or “uncomfortable” (it doesn’t fit or I don’t feel my best). Give it away to a charity or friend who will really love it and use it.

          If I were moving instead of just cleaning, would I take this with me?  Let go of the old, what does not represent and support who you are now and who you want to become.

2. Set up space to support your resolutions:

If your goal is healthy eating, throw out or give to a food pantry all no-no foods.  Get rid of temptation.  This will make space for the healthy foods that you want to enjoy.  Make your new healthy foods easy to find in your cabinets.  Put your vegetable steamer, herbs and spices that will replace salt, and countertop electric grill in easy to use places. Have those new recipes handy.

If your goal is home exercise: create a space for your workouts.  Clear out a space for your yoga mat in a quiet corner.  Change your treadmill from a clothes rack to ready-to-use exercise machine.   For yoga or mediation set out candles or aromatherapy. Music - have a CD player or iPod handy – mellow for yoga or tai chi, upbeat for aerobics. Adjustable lighting (no one wants to spend time in a dark corner) – lower for mediation or yoga; brighter for more vigorous exercise. Hang an inspiring picture where you can see it. Set up a designated place for clean exercise clothes in your closet or bureau.  Now you can “just do it.”

If going to a gym is part of your New Beginning, then make a space for you gym bag near the door and restock it with clean clothes and fresh water every time you come home from the gym.

 If your goal is making more time for projects, writing, or crafts; then create an organized space for the tools that you will need to do this.  Set up a table or desk, comfortable chair, good lighting and storage for your supplies when you are not working on them.

3. Intention – While you are clearing out, cleaning and setting up, keep in mind the new things you want to do, how good you will feel doing them and the benefits you will get.  Focus on the positive.

4. Cleansing – There is one more step you can do to energize your space and support your new lifestyle.  Try one of the traditional ways of ritually cleansing a space. Open a window. And then do a clearing with a sage or cedar smudge stick. Or use incense. Scatter salt in the corners of the room. Burn candles. Or place a small bowl of water in the center of the room. These are some of the many ways of drawing out old stuck energy which can make you feel stuck in your life.  Choose whichever ritual feels right for you.  As you do it think of the old stale energy leaving the space.  Picture your old ways of doing (or not doing) things leaving too. When you are finished, close the window.

5. Celebrate your new beginning. Say a prayer or intention asking for support in your new endeavors.  You can place fresh flowers in the room.  Take an indulgent aromatherapy bath with candles and music.  Or order-in some Chinese food (from the healthy food part of the menu).  Finish with a tender tangerine; a traditional Chinese New Year treat associated with good luck.

Good Luck to you and all of your New Beginnings.