If you’ve read my blog for a while, you know that I generally stay away from making “resolutions” at New Year’s.

It’s not that I’m averse to self-improvement or unwilling to make beneficial changes in my life. Nor do I completely avoid goal-setting or searching for new adventures to make life exciting (though sometimes I do struggle with this).

My avoidance of the stereotypical new year’s resolution is simple: they’re almost certainly doomed for failure.

I love the symbolism and “blank slate” feeling of all things new—years, seasons, notebooks, homes, relationships, etc.—but I don’t love societal pressures and the tendency to set our expectations too high by failing to make incremental changes and allowing the diet, fitness, and self-help industries to beat us down when we mess up or experience a setback (trust me: there will always be setbacks).

Something I do embrace, however, is the concept of having a word or intention for the year.

For 2019, my word/intention is “abundance.”

Abundance vs. Scarcity

I can’t remember if it was an Instagram image or a blog post that sparked my realization, but recently something revealed to me that I have almost always lived my life in response to the “scarcity mindset.”

What do I mean?

Scarcity, essentially, means not having—and desperately seeking—life necessities, while abundance means such things being plentiful.

Often these terms refer to wealth in the literal sense (money and resources), but I am speaking more in the psychological or spiritual sense.

I shared a little in an Instagram post, but scarcity, to me, means:

• “I am not good enough”
• “I have nothing to offer”
• “I am not smart enough and my talents aren’t adequate”
• “I’m stretched too thin”
• “If I give this up, then I will never have another opportunity”
• “This is just how things will always be”
• “Nobody cares what I have to say”
• “If I share this, then I’ll be left with nothing”

…and much more.

My personal definition of scarcity means doubt. Emptiness. Denial of my talents. Yearning for approval. Fear of loss, ridicule, failure, missing out, and living a life without contributing to the greater good or making an impact.

Abundance, though, is something I strive to feel naturally.

It’s not a material thing—though of course I’d like to be financially comfortable and have the opportunities to travel, eat delicious food, and enjoy the many delights of this world.

Abundance is the realization that, despite my flaws, this is me, and it’s enough.

It’s knowing that, even though my voice is (generally) quiet, and my reach is small, I can have still have an influence by speaking up for what I believe in and refusing to hide from those who try to break me down.

It’s realizing that creativity, knowledge, goodness, and charity are free-flowing and self-sustaining: that drawing from the well of these things, and sharing with those who need it, will not deplete—but replenish—these gifts and resources.

And it’s connecting with others, because each of us is an equal component that mixes to form a beautiful, big universe.

To borrow from Deepak Chopra, living a life of abundance means: 

• becoming aware of our thoughts (even the negative ones) but not giving them power over us
• practicing gratitude (even when circumstances are painful and trying) and focusing on the good amidst the negative
• recognizing that possibilities are endless (paths can change and we are never trapped by our circumstances, though we may face more challenges)
• cultivating our passions and creativity (particularly in a way that benefits others) and concentrating on growth (learning from what others have to say and share)
• developing “mastery experiences” (setting incremental, achievable goals and using past successes as an example for future ones) but also thinking like a beginner (realizing that we can never know everything)
• being careful to speak in way that builds others’ abundance mindset, rather than self-deprecatingly or discouragingly; also creating positive affirmations for when things are going badly or the negative self-talk gets too loud

How to live the abundance mindset in 2019 #abundance #newyear Share on X

To me, the abundance mindset falls right in line with Kristin Neff’s practice of self-compassion as well as Elizabeth Gilbert’s notion of “Big Magic.” But I think it really falls in line with Brene Brown’s research on connection and shame. (All 3 of these authors have had such an impact on me!)

It’s my hope that you, too, are able to find the abundance within yourselves, as well as the opportunity to give, share, and grow abundantly within your communities at large.

So tell me…

• What does an “abundance mindset” mean to you?
• If you have one, what is your word or intention for the new year?