A few gentle positive reminders can help you slow down, let go of pressure, and focus on what really matters.

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Do you make New Year's resolutions?
I usually do (guilty!), and honestly, I kind of love them. But this year, I'm trying something different.
No pressure-filled goals. No rigid intentions. Just a handful of gentle reminders to guide me through the year - positive reminders that help me feel a little more grounded, a little more me.
I plan on writing them down on a piece of paper and stick it somewhere I'll see every day. (pinboard above my desk = high visibility)
If I had to pick just one to carry with me into this new chapter, it would be this: Do less. Be more. That's the one that makes me exhale.
13 Positive Reminders to Live Gently
Sometimes what we need isn't a big resolution or a five-year plan, just a few gentle nudges in the right direction. So, here they are. 13 little reminders I want to keep close this year. Maybe one will speak to you, too.
1. Do less. BE more.
2. LOVE everything you do. Do everything with love.
3. ENJOY the PROCESS. The results will come.
4. Take CARE of yourself. Really, truly.
5. MAKE YOURSELF HAPPY first. It's not selfish, it's foundational
6. ATTITUDE is everything.
7. Trade expectation with APPRECIATION.
8. BE GRATEFUL. For the big stuff and the tiny, perfect moments.
9. If it FEELS RIGHT it's MEANT TO BE. Let go of the rest.
10. Trust your gut. Your INTUITION knows things.
11. LIFE is a GAME. So play (and have fun).
12. Welcome MIRACLES.
13. BELIEVE.
And speaking of miracles, I'll leave you with this beautiful poem by the German poet Hilde Domin. I come back to it often; it's quiet but full of light.
Not to tire
Hilde Domin
but to hold out your hand
to the miracle
gently, as though to a bird.
Want to keep going?
If you'd like to explore more gentle ways to reflect on the past year and step into the new one with intention, you might enjoy these posts too:
- How to Do Year-End Reflections
- 30 Fun Reflection Questions for Your Year-End
- 15 Positive Affirmations for the New Year
- 2 Farewell Letters to Read on New Year's Day
- 5 Steps to Good New Year's Resolutions
- 20 Positive Intentions for a Magical Life
- Sorcova: A Fun Romanian New Year's custom
Enjoy,
Ramona
PS: Do you have a favorite positive reminder? Tell me in the comments, I'm always curious.
♥










Ovidiu says
Hi!About the positive things... something that would fit here.
I was thinking about what makes us happy?
There are many things, of course. Meeting someone dear, a book, looking at something beautiful.
But one of them is…dancing. It is so simple. Moving on the ritm. Different movements for different songs. Live with the music. Entering in a magical space somehow. A dance is true and valuable—just like so many other things—if it comes from the heart.
It also means being free. And playful. To express yourself?What would it be like for two people to communicate through dance?It is possible. Also different scenarios can make you laugh 🙂 It certainly won't be as precise as lines and dots in Morse code.
For me, it’s something I’ve set out to do at least once a year.
So…you'd like to dance?How do you feel about dancing?
Ramona Winkler says
Thank you for your beautiful comment and sharing your thoughts. Totally agree concerning dancing - I just started taking Salsa classes a couple of months ago and loving it.
Ovidiu says
Wow!Salsa is soo beautiful!!!I did also Salsa in the past years ago and i liked so much.Can t explain it, it is so joyful!I was almost running on the streets in the way to the classes:) I failed with tango before (tango is interesting-a lot of respect for it) and then salsa bring me so much, opened the door to Latin dances and brought me hope.I think there are dances for everyone :).I wish you a lot of joy and succes to...Salsa!
Ramona Winkler says
Thank you, wishing you a lot of joy with salsa dancing as well.