Hey Woofa’s,

Welcome to 2022!

I know we’re nearly at the end of January 2022 so this might be a bit late.

However, I received a newsletter from my Acupuncturist informing me that the Chinese New Year doesn’t start until Tuesday 1st February, 2022.

So this technically makes me early………lol

I don’t know about you, but January is ALWAYS a wishy washy month for me!  I normally have the first and sometimes the second week off in January, so I usually don’t start back until 2 weeks into January.

Before that you’re in holiday mode, kids are all still on holidays too and it just feels like the actual business and goal setting for the year doesn’t kick in til February.

In January you’re getting ready to go back to work and back to school so it’s more like a preparation ‘for the new year’ month!

And this rings true for me, so this year I’m following the Chinese New Year so my actual New Year isn’t starting until 1st of February.

Who’s with me on this?

THE YEAR OF THE TIGER!

This Chinese New Year is the Year of the Tiger, the element is Water and my star sign is a water sign and it is a Yang year!

And guess what, the year I was born falls into this year so it’s no wonder that it resonants with me so much.

If you would like to find out what your Chinese Zodiac sign is click here!

Reading through the 21 Things You Don’t Know about Chinese New Year is very interesting too.

Did you know that –

1. The use of fireworks at midnight is to ward off monsters and bad luck;
2. the next morning they are set off again to welcome the New Year and good luck;
3. kids receive money in red envelopes as a sign of transferring fortune from the elders to the kids;
4. if the Chinese New Year falls on your birth year, it’s apparently bad luck, because demons come to get children;
5. it’s also your year of rebirth;
6. Red is the colour of protection from monsters, demons and bad luck, many wear red underwear all year round if it’s their year.

To find out more click here!

WHAT TO DO?

Whether you believe in Zodiacs, New Years resolutions, and fresh beginnings for the New Year or not, lets pray and hope that 2022 is a good positive and healthy year for everyone.

Everyone I have spoken to lately is worn down by what’s been happening throughout the world for the last 2 years.

No-one wants another year dealing with the Pandemic, however it seems to be sticking around.

What we can do is try to stay focussed on what keeps us happy!

Here are some ideas but remember you have to do you, so you do what makes you and keeps you happy!

1. Be kind to yourself
2. Be kind to others
3. Read your favourite author
4. Read your favourite magazine
5. Spend time with those you love
6. Live in the moment – like your dog does
7. Play more with your dog
8. Do what makes YOU happy
9. Remember to smile more
10. Focus on the positives in your life, no matter how small
11. Take one day, one moment at a time
12. Stop watching negative TV
13. Spend time out doors in gardens, go hiking, walk your dog etc
14. Go for a drive to your favourite spot
15. Go on picnics, to the beach, to your favourite restaurant or cafe, or to the park etc
16. Study something you’ve always wanted to
17. Take up a new hobby
18. Volunteer at a Charity
19. Sometimes just sitting and patting your dog helps ward off the anxiety
20. Appreciate what you do have – start being grateful for what you do have, write it down
21. Watch movies/shows that make you laugh
22. Write/type out your feelings
23. Declutter your home
24. Know that it’s okay to do nothing and not feel guilty about it as well, as long as you have positive thoughts.

I’m sure there’s a million more things I can add to this list, but as I said YOU have to find things that make YOU happy and positive.

It’s okay to have feelings, just don’t stay too long in the negative ones, work through them by doing little things that make you smile each day.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

The New Year is upon us, Welcome 2022!

No matter what happens lets promise ourselves that we’ll be kind to ourselves and others!

Let’s focus on being positive and having fun.

There’s too much negative stuff going on and it’s a waste of time and energy to constantly focus on that.

Flick the switch and turn negative thoughts into positive ones.

Our dogs know how to be happy, lets follow their example.

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?