As the new year unfolds, many of us find our minds overflowing with thoughts and distractions. This psychological clutter can obstruct our path to achieving our goals, making the planning process feel overwhelming. We may enter the year with enthusiasm, joy, and hope; however, as days pass, that initial spark often dwindles, leading to frustration and unfulfilled plans.
Enter Misk Rezq, a specialist in psychological decluttering and life coaching, who describes herself as "a soul on this earth on a passionate journey to seek wisdom." Misk offers guidance on how to clear the mental fog that can hinder our planning efforts.
Life’s distractions can prevent us from organising our lives effectively. In the pursuit of calm, Misk urges us to take a step back. "To arrange your psychological clutter and elevate your quality of life, find a tranquil space and allow yourself to reflect. Release your feelings and thoughts through crying, writing, or physical movement. Contemplate questions such as: Who am I? What do I truly desire? What emotions and thoughts am I experiencing? What do I wish to avoid, and why?"
As Misk explains, increased self-awareness helps us organise our inner thoughts, conserving our mental, emotional, and practical energy in the process.
Many individuals struggle to follow through on their annual plans for various reasons. Setting unrealistic goals can stifle motivation and often leads to disappointment. If our aspirations are merely attempts to satisfy the expectations of others or those curated by social media influencers, they are unlikely to succeed. Furthermore, if our goals are overshadowed by past frustrations, helplessness, and accumulated emotional baggage, these obstacles will impede our ability to stay committed to new plans.
Misk’s own journey of self-discovery began when she experienced the overwhelming demands of adulthood at a young age. "At 17, after marrying, I felt burdened by responsibilities as a wife, mother, and caregiver, along with societal expectations. In time, I lost sight of myself and my confidence," she reflects. This turning point prompted her to embark on a journey of self-coaching, allowing her to reset and reorganise her inner life.
"I can attest that nurturing our inner world fosters balance, peace, and self-confidence, ultimately enhancing our productivity through inner harmony," says Misk.
Creating a healthy routine from simple habits can yield remarkable results in all areas of life. To effectively plan for the year, begin with three key steps. First, list your achievements from the previous year to boost your confidence. Second, create two separate lists: one of what you wish to invite into your life this year and another of what you want to avoid—considering feelings, habits, aspirations, locations, and relationships. Finally, condense these lists into clear goals, prioritising three key objectives for the year, and outline detailed action steps to achieve them, specifying timelines, locations, and scales of execution.
Misk relies on three vital principles to help those who have struggled with organisation: gradualism, clarity, and precision. Striving for drastic changes—such as jumping from hardly reading to consuming fifty books in a year without a structured approach—often leads to chaos.
"Our inner selves resemble a neglected drawer that beckons to be tidied. We often avoid it until we're forced to confront the disarray," Misk notes. Without defining clear goals, we risk floating aimlessly, much like a dust-covered drawer masking our true ambitions.
Clarity in our aspirations must be accompanied by precision. Rather than simply vowing to exercise regularly for health, specify the details: for instance, commit to walking for ten minutes, three times a week after 7 PM. Such specifics create a manageable routine that avoids overwhelm and distraction.
Writing serves as the magic touch that transforms internal chaos into tangible clarity. By documenting daily, monthly, or yearly plans, we shape our existence, providing ourselves with draw to action when we feel discouraged. Coach Misk advises embracing the unexpected chaos we encounter: "I've come to understand that chaos is not inherently negative; rather, it is an invitation to rearrange our inner selves."
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