After walking through the first month of the New Year,

I reflected on the past Christmas season. Away from my writing cave, I took a much-needed break. As we approached the New Year, I observed what was going on around me. With pen and notebook never far away, I scribbled some thoughts.

In the vast metropolis of creativity and business, I felt a frenetic wave of must do’s along with pressure to set goals and make resolutions:-

‘Must reflect on the past year.

Must build a solid strategy for the new year

Must not miss out on my successes and achievements.

So much to do and change

Must get fit, hit the gym, start yoga at dawn

Gotta do, gotta push,

Keep up the pace until I see results.’

My question; Why?

What about allowing ourselves time to let go, refresh and eventually begin to develop and move forward?

As a Writer, Storyteller, Blogger, and Speaker, of course, it’s necessary to ensure certain plans are in place before the New Year begins.

Outside of these dates, I make a conscious decision not to rush headlong into productivity. I want to feel the anticipation, the possibilities and the opportunities I can implement into my creative world.

I allow myself to get comfortable. Only then can I visualise and record what is on my horizon of focus, purpose, and growth.

Most importantly I want to feel ready to action what is necessary to help me walk my path.

Let’s consider what it means to be authentically ME or You? Surely, how we live and work each day counts for something that is uniquely special to us.

There is an art to learning the skills of daily life and it takes time and patience.

With photos, articles and posts of ‘Gotta Do’ and words like ‘Resolutions and Goals’ being bandied across social media platforms, and in the media, we must not let such words define who WE are.

We do not have to jump onto someone else’s bandwagon in order to achieve our success and affect change within us.

Why allow ourselves to be swayed by outside influences?

Let each of us walk our path, align our intentions and prepare to take action to reach that finish line on our terms.