As we approach the New Year, now is a great time to take stock of what habits, thought processes and behaviours are helping or hurting you in this life. The start of something new gives us all an opportunity to reflect on the past and put our best foot forward, to invite more joy into our daily lives and eliminate any negativity weighing us down. Here are three of our suggestions for you to implement this upcoming year to live in joy and feel just a bit lighter each day!

Service to others

Everyone wins when you lift up those around you. There is no telling how far a single act of kindness can go. By simply saying hello with a smile (or through squinted eyes) as you grab some groceries, letting someone turn in front of you as you commute to work, or taking the extra few minutes to also shovel your busy neighbour's walkway, you can give the gift of joy… and it can be re-gifted time and time again as others pay-it-forward. It feels good to do good; in fact, there is considerable evidence that random acts of kindness promote positive mental health and wellbeing and contribute to the flourishing of people, groups and communities! So do something nice for someone today!

Start and finish your day in gratitude

We celebrate New Year’s because as a society we understand that endings and beginnings are important. By introducing gratitude into your morning and night time routine, you can begin to shift your mindset towards accepting, recognizing, appreciating and creating moments of joy throughout the entirety of the day. We all have at least something small every day to be grateful for, and if you’re having trouble thinking of something off the top of your head, maybe it’s a sign you are out of practice! The longer you practice gratitude, the more things you will find to be grateful for… It’s kind of like dusting, but way more fun. If you’re unsure where to start, try keeping a gratitude journal and physically writing down three unique things each day that brought you joy! Soon your pages and your heart will be full of joy.

Open your heart inwards

As we open our hearts up by living in service to others and practicing gratitude for those in our life, we cannot forget to also open our hearts inwards and love ourselves. Here at Poppies, we think your imperfections make you unique, and with just a little mental reframing, they could be your new favourite thing about yourself! Try using positive affirmations to proclaim your self-love in the mirror! You are important. You are loved. You are joy!