A Gentle Reset for the New Year

A short guide to support your practice

The New Year does not need to begin with pressure, plans, or reinvention.

This practice is an invitation to start from a quieter place — to soften what you’ve been carrying and create space for what matters most to you.

You can return to this meditation whenever life feels full, but it can be especially powerful during the early days of the year.

Before You Begin

Choose a time when you won’t be interrupted.

You may wish to:

·       sit comfortably with your feet on the floor

·       wrap yourself in something warm

·       set your intention to give yourself this time

There is no “right” way to do this, simply arrive as you are.

Preparation:

·       bring to mind three things you would like to release from the year just past.

·       bring to mind three things you would like to embrace in the year ahead.

·       do this without judgement or interaction, just with kindness.

During the Practice

Let the meditation meet you where you are.

If your mind wanders, gently return to the breath.

Observing the breath moving in and out.
If emotions arise, allow them without judgement.

Visualise any thoughts that arise and gently release them on the outbreath returning to observing the breath. If nothing in particular happens, that is perfectly fine.

The practice is not about achieving calm, it is about creating space.

The Practice

Ask yourself quietly, ‘what am I ready to let go of from the past year?’

·       Bring each of the three things you wish to release to mind one at a time.

·       Think of each one with kindness and know that you are ready to let go of them.

·       Use the outbreath to release each one in turn, noticing how much lighter you feel as you do this.

Ask yourself quietly, ‘what qualities am I ready to invite and embrace into my life this year?’

·       bring each of the three things you wish to embrace to mind one at a time.

·       think of each one with kindness and know that you are ready to fully embrace them.

·       use the outbreath to settle into each one into your heart centre.

·       give yourself time to really embrace each one and feel the joy of the experience.

After the Practice:

·       allow yourself to gently return.

·       you may find it helpful to make some notes in a journal about the experience.

·       what came to mind.

·       how it made you feel.

Returning to the Practice

You can do this meditation:

·       at the beginning or end of the day

·       when your mind feels busy

·       before making decisions

·       whenever you need to reconnect with yourself

Each time you return, the practice will meet you differently. You may wish to just concentrate on the positive qualities you want to attract into your life when you repeat this process

A Gentle Note

This reset is not about changing who you are.

It’s about remembering the calm, clarity, and steadiness that already exist within you.