Closing Out the Year with a Smile!

It was Pope George XIII that declared New Year’s Day an official day of celebration in 1582. Early festivities included yelling, hollering, and blowing horns at midnight to scare away evil spirits from the prior year.

While you may not have evil spirits to thwart, here are five easy ways to end your year with a smile!

Acknowledge your achievements: It can be easy to forget all the triumphs you realized in the past year. Use the end of the year as a time to reflect on all your achievements and celebrate them.

Take a moment for yourself: Much of our day-to-day life is filled with caring for others. Whether you have children, parents, or bosses to keep happy, use the remaining days of the year to treat yourself to some well-deserved “me-time.”

Learn your lessons: Just as you should recognize your achievements, it is essential to acknowledge any missteps you may have taken during the year. Mistakes or misjudgments are excellent opportunities to learn from and grow as an individual.

Imagine what’s possible: With a new year comes new opportunities. Take a moment and write down your goals for the upcoming year. The simple activity of jotting down objectives can help you realize your dreams as they become more tangible.

Don’t wait!: Many people wait until after the 1st of the year before making any changes. However, the most successful people don’t wait to achieve their goals. And neither should you!