The Ultimate New Years Plan for your most successful (Interior) year ever
12 Steps
Happy New Year!
We are a few days into the new year already and we are not just entering a new beginning but a whole new decade. Welcome to what I would like to call the glorious 20’s. Being a huge fan of the roaring 1920s I couldn’t be happier that they are back and reloaded!
And talking of a new decade, I was reminiscing about my 34-year-old self and looking at old pictures. It felt like a whole different life. I was living in Hamburg, working in publishing, single and had no clue what was coming next. What I would have told my younger self? Don’t worry, you have got it all in hand and enjoy the ride. Where were you 10 years ago and what have you learned over the last decade? What would you do differently and what not?
I gave up New Year's resolutions a few years ago. I always felt myself concentrating too much on those things which didn’t get done and it felt disheartening. It’s important to be kind and that includes to yourself. Life is precious and ask yourself if you are spending it on what matters the most? It’s important to look back over the last 12 months or longer even. Celebrate your successes, reflect and learn from mistakes and set goals, however big or small, for the new year. To help you over the next 12 months, I have put together a 12 step plan for the ultimate New Year 2022 and beyond. You can go through it all in one go, or month by month. So get a beautiful notebook and write this down because this is just for you.
January
January is the time to reflect. Find yourself a cosy corner with comfy cushions a cup of earl grey and an hour or two of free time. Get out those photo albums (either digital or manual) and look over the last 12 months (or 10 years if you wish). Time flies and we forget a lot of the details, so take the time and take it in. What are you proud of? What were the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them? How might you have changed in the last 12 months or longer? Get out old calendars, diaries or emails which might help. Then highlight those events which really stand out. Why are they important? Write them down and from your notes, you can learn a lot about yourself and the decisions you have made. It will help you make even better, bolder or wiser decisions in the future. Celebrate your wins and at the end of the month write down 5 things you are grateful for and put them in a transparent glass jar. 
Don't just wish upon a star...
February
Your home should now be free of all Christmas and New Year decorations. So why not buy yourself a bunch of beautiful flowers or treat yourself to a potted plant which will flower throughout the new year? When you look back at your January notes, what do your answers tell you? Write down categories such as family, friends, career, relationships, health, finances, and creativity What have you learned about yourself in these areas over the past year or even 10 years? Which mistakes would you change and are certain situations clearer now that time has moved on? What would you do differently now? Take a look at your list and ask yourself which situations affected you the most and why. What good feelings or triumphs do you want to take with you into the new decade? At the end of the month write down 5 further things that you are grateful for and pop them into the jar with the others. 
Make sure your dreams really do come true this year
March
Spring is on its way and it’s time to get light, literally. Get those boxes (throw, sell, give away)out and start sorting. If you haven’t read my blog about mindful interiors, take a look here. Out with the definitely old and unloved and make space, space SPACE for the most loved items! Free up your space and you will free your mind. Don’t believe me? Give it a try! March is about letting go, the changing of seasons and new beginnings. Time to dissolve the pains of the past so that you can go full steam ahead with clarity and consistency. Get your pen and paper ready and ask yourself what you are willing to forgive and let go of. Are there any personal, career or interior goals you haven’t reached yet or keep putting off? Are there any ideals or expectations from you or others which don’t feel right? If there are, then it’s time to get rid of those unwanted burdens that are taking up too much of your valuable space. Now is the time to free that up and create a new 2020 list. Don’t forget your 5 things to be grateful for in the jar.
Make space for SPACE
April
The flowers are in bloom and so should you be! Spruce up your home with some new or well-loved bright florals or patterns. Spring textiles such as curtains, cushions, and upholstery in good quality linen, cotton or silks get you ready for the warmer weather. Materials that have you dreaming of the French Riviera, the Amalfi coast or a pretty English seaside town. Four months in and we are dealing with pain points. Are there any pain points in your home? Something that you have ignored for months like a leaking tap or a broken panel, especially if you are living in a heritage home. Time to fix it! Get on that phone call the plumber, painter or decorator and get it done. Or DIY. On a personal level are you still angry or upset about anything? Do you have any old emotional baggage you need to let go of, or is forgiveness an issue? Take the plunge and write it all down, honestly and openly. You won’t have all the answers but seeing it written down, and acknowledging it makes all the difference. In time, and if you are willing, you will find the answers. It’s a journey and you are doing well. What 5 things are you grateful for this month? Write them down and put them in the jar. 
Even the smallest bit of greenery will lift those spirits and bring you joy every day
May
Summer is on the way and it’s time to work on your belief system. How is your home looking? Still comfy and cosy and those niggling bits repaired? I hope so. If not, don’t wait because any home suffers if not kept up. And if you believe that a
heritage home needs to look worn out then it’s time for a chat with Grace & Holmes! What other limiting beliefs have you been carrying around with you all this time? What sad or untrue stories have you been telling yourself which don’t help one bit? Do you feel as though you don’t deserve the things you dream about? You are too young, too old, too financially challenged, too ignorant or too ….Excuses!! Let it go and for good. Write those negative beliefs on post-its and then burn them. Doesn't that feel good? Your 5 thankful things in the jar, please?
Summer and sunshine, but make sure those goals are not simply going around in circles
June
Take a sunny summer day and a glass of something refreshing and take this opportunity to go back over your notes and reflect again. You are letting go of all those negative and limiting beliefs and thoughts holding you back so that you can go through 2022 with a completely fresh outlook. Take your notebook and answer the following questions. What are the most important things to let go of and why? How have these beliefs limited you in the past? Have you avoided, lost or missed opportunities due to holding on to these limits? Be as detailed as you can. Round off the month with your 5 thankful notes. 
And don't forget to write it down
July
Now we get down to the nitty-gritty. We are creating your future plan. This can be for the next 12 months or the next 10 years. The timescale is up to you. Ask yourself the question, what do I want my future to look like? What do you want to create, experience, achieve and most importantly, feel? In your family, health finances, relationships, career or community? What is it that you want? More freedom, time, love and what would you do with it? Be concrete and let yourself dare to dream and see the best version of yourself and your life. Top 5 July things to be grateful for, write them down. July interior challenge: Find something to up-cycle. Turn an old tennis racket into a light, apple crate into shelves or a book into a bag such as in our shop. Let your creativity go WILD. 
The message is clear and simple. Never give up
August
List your top 4 most important goals for the upcoming months. Go back over your July list and ask yourself what are the four most important goals you want to focus on over the next 5 months at least? Circle them now. Why are each of these goals important to you? Who do you need to become in order to bring each of these goals to life? What character traits, habits, or skills do you need to develop to accomplish these goals? This will help you break down all your dreams, and expectations one month and year at a time. Create a vision board where you write strong positive keywords and affirmations, quotes and pictures which you look at daily and say out loud. You believe in yourself and make a point of saying it every day. Write down what you are grateful for this August for the jar. 
Write a love letter to youself
September
A clear image should be forming, allowing yourself to see your 12 month older self. Now imagine yourself ten years in the future, and start writing a letter to current-day you. It can start something like this:
Dear ______, I’d love to let you know that…
Write whatever comes to mind. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling or even what you are writing. It’s just for you alone. It might feel strange at first but writing it down, or even saying it out loud helps you find the truth, meaning and access your sub-conscience. You will be amazed at how these little exercises will help you in the next 12-120 months. At the end of September don’t forget those 5 little thank you notes.
Be grateful and give back. That is what life is all about
October
The seasons are changing and autumn is well and truly here. Get out of the house and give back. You could offer your services voluntarily. Find a cause you stand for and lend a hand. Be it dog walking, helping the elderly, supporting your local church or simply visiting someone that you have not seen in a very long time. Giving back means you are grateful and adds to your list. This month it will be 6 things that you are writing for that jar.
Who is your role model?
November
Who do you admire? This is a different kind of list. Be it your school teacher, a celebrity, an author or your parents, make a list of all those people you admire and are role models for you. Why are they role models and what do you admire about them? How can they help you to reach your goals, banish negative beliefs, strengthen positive ones and even create new ones? Print out pictures and put them on your vision board.
It's nearly that time of year again. A new year, new beginnings and new dreams
December
It’s the Christmas season and if you are lucky, time will be spent with family and friends to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Decorate your home in festive vintage and don’t forget the Christmas tree. Organise to meet friends at the Christmas market or arrange a small advent get-together before everyone gets too busy. Don’t forget to check your vision board every day and then choose a certain time on December 31st to open that jar. Read all the things you have been grateful for and keep your favourite ones for your vision board. Set up a new jar and get ready for a happy new year 2023 full of joy, health, and happiness.
The Ultimate New Years Plan for your most successful (Interior) year ever was first published here at www.graceandholmes.com
Photos: Unsplash
