2024 December 31 New Year's Tips and Wishes

You can see the original Facebook LIVE post here.

https://www.facebook.com/jim.cranston.7/videos/1131059325360062

 Hi, this is Jim Cranston from 7EveryMinute and 7EveryMinute.com, the podcast and website about reimagining your life. Thanks for joining me today as we talk about New Year’s wishes and some tips to navigate this time of year. Let’s dive in.

One thing we haven’t discussed in a while is how the holidays, especially ones like Christmas and New Year’s, can sometimes feel overwhelming. While these occasions are often portrayed as joyful, it’s important to acknowledge that not everyone feels that way. In fact, they can feel especially tough if you’re not in a great place emotionally, and it seems like everyone else is.

If you’re struggling, I want to remind you about (988), the crisis hotline. The things I’m sharing here are based on my personal experiences. I’m not a medical professional, and this isn’t medical advice. These are just strategies that have helped me in the past, and I hope they might be helpful for you, too.

That said, if you’re really having a tough time, feeling down, or struggling—especially tonight, as I record this on New Year’s Eve—please remember you’re not alone. Dial (988) for the crisis hotline, or (911) for local emergency services. These are both lifelines: (988) connects you to someone who can help with emotional or mental health challenges, while (911) can provide immediate emergency assistance.

These resources are there for you or for a friend who might need support. Sometimes just talking to someone can help shift your perspective and make things feel more manageable.

This is something I feel strongly about, which is why I wanted to mention it right at the start. Now, let’s move on to the rest of our conversation.

If you enjoy what you hear today, please leave a like, subscribe, share with your friends, or even send me a message. I truly appreciate you joining me tonight as we discuss tolerating the holiday season and reflecting on the past year.

It’s so easy to look back on the past and think about all the things you could have done differently—hindsight is always 20/20. But tonight, I want to share some ways to set yourself up for a better year ahead. These tips can help you not only appreciate the upcoming year as it unfolds, but also look back on it with gratitude when the next New Year rolls around.

The holiday season—especially Christmas—can sometimes feel overwhelming. Everywhere you turn, there’s this seemingly endless display of joy. Everyone looks happy on TV, social media is full of perfect moments, and even advertisements are all about cheerful families and celebrations. That constant display of happiness can sometimes feel isolating and even depressing if you’re not in the same emotional space.

I’ve been there myself during different times in my life. I used to feel sad during the holidays, but over time, I realized something important: much like social media, all those images and messages are designed to make us focus on what we think we don’t have. They distract us from recognizing and appreciating all the things we do have.

Also, just like on social media, much of what we see in advertising and even from other people is often a carefully curated, sometimes false, appearance meant to make everything seem perfect. Try not to get caught up in that illusion.

This reminds me of a movie I saw a few years ago called Feeling Through: Omeleto. It came out in 2021. You can find it on YouTube. It’s a really interesting film, and the reason I bring it up is that it highlights a simple but powerful truth: no matter what your circumstances are, chances are you still have something good in your life—even if it’s small.

Sometimes, we also have the ability to share a bit of joy with someone who’s less fortunate. It’s easy to forget that when we’re caught up in our own challenges. And let me be clear: I’m not minimizing anyone’s struggles. But as humans, we’re wired to focus on the negative. It’s a survival mechanism—our brains focus on past problems to help us avoid them in the future.

This negativity bias, while natural, doesn’t always serve us well. It makes us dwell on the bad moments, and we start thinking, I’ve got nothing. How can I possibly share joy with anyone when I don’t have any myself?

That’s where Feeling Through: Omeleto comes in. It’s a story about a young man from the city who’s homeless. He feels like he has nothing to offer anyone. But the story unfolds as he helps a blind, deaf, and mute man find his way home. Through that experience, he discovers that we all have the power to help others.

The film isn’t specifically about the holidays, but its message is deeply relevant: even when you feel like you have little to give, there’s still a way to make a difference.

It’s a great way to spend 20 minutes. Feeling Through is an artistic short film—I think it was nominated for an Academy Award. If it didn’t win, it absolutely should have. It’s a very moving movie that can truly shift your perspective. It ties into something we often talk about—looking beyond yourself and focusing on the world around you.

That’s the first step—reminding yourself that even when things feel bleak (and they may be very bleak—I’m not minimizing that), there’s a good chance you still have the power to help someone else. And when you take a moment to step outside of yourself and connect with others, it can transform how you see the world.

Instead of endlessly scrolling through social media, reading ads, or diving into books and newspapers about how things are going wrong, just take a moment to notice someone else. Maybe you see someone who looks really unhappy. Say, Hey, how’s it going? They might share a little about their struggles, and even if all you do is listen and say, Wow, that’s tough—I hope things get better, it can make a big difference.

And just like that, you’ve helped someone. It’s that simple.

Now, moving on, a friend recently reminded me of a really simple tool that can help you navigate the upcoming year. Grab a big jar—or whatever container you have handy—and some notebook paper. If you prefer digital methods, that works too, but the jar and paper have a certain charm that makes this practice special.

Each day, before you go to bed or at some point during the day, write down the date, maybe the day of the week, and at least one positive thing that happened. It doesn’t have to be anything big—something small and simple is just fine. The key is to focus on genuine positives, not sarcastic ones like, Well, I didn’t get hit by a meteor today.

Even on the worst days, there’s usually something good, no matter how tiny. Maybe someone let you check out first at the store because they saw you were in a hurry. Carry a little notepad with you if it helps, so you can jot things down as they happen. That way, you don’t forget those moments later on.

When you get home, fold up the paper and drop it in the jar. If you had a particularly good day and noticed more than one positive thing, feel free to add multiple notes. But make it a habit to include at least one each day.

Here’s where this really helps: on days when it feels like everything is going wrong, reach into the jar, pull out one or a few notes, and read them to yourself. This simple act does a few powerful things.

First, it trains you to notice positive moments in your day. You’ll find yourself thinking, Oh, I need to write something down tonight, so you start looking for good things—and, surprise, you’ll start finding them! Even something as small as spotting a quarter on the ground can make it onto a note.

It really could be anything. The act of writing it down forces you to focus on that positive moment. That’s the beauty of physically jotting it down. It engages your motor skills, your eyes, your brain—more of your senses and skills—which helps the memory stick.

First, you’re looking for something positive. Then, as you write it down, you’re focusing on it again. Later, when you see the jar filling up, it becomes a powerful reminder of all the good things that have happened in your life. Imagine it’s only April, and the jar is already half full—what a tangible way to see how much good there’s been, even just a few months into the year.

When you take out and read those notes, it reinforces the fact that good things did happen, even if you didn’t think so at the time. But here’s an even bigger lesson: our past is a tool—a way to understand the present and guide us toward the future.

The past doesn’t predict your future. That’s a mistake people make all the time. They assume tomorrow will look exactly like yesterday, but it doesn’t have to. Yesterday is simply a learning tool. Tomorrow gives you the chance to change what didn’t work and build something better.

Your past gives you lessons and tools to grow. Yes, we’ve all made mistakes or handled things imperfectly. But in most cases, we did the best we could with what we knew at the time.

So, give yourself grace. Learn from the past. Refine your vision for the future. Then start taking steps to live a life more aligned with what you want. It won’t be perfect—there will still be challenges—but it will continue to get better.

Another very important thing is to avoid negative self-talk. That kind of thinking creates a downward spiral that’s hard to break out of. When you catch yourself being critical or negative toward yourself, stop and revise it in the moment into something more positive.

For example, instead of saying, That was such a dumb thing to do, try reframing it. Well, that was a learning moment. Next time, I’ll remember to try something different. Just like that, you’ve turned something negative into either a neutral or even a positive thought.

But if you do find yourself slipping into a negative mindset—especially when it feels like everyone else in the world is happy—remember that appearances can be deceiving. Chances are, they’re not as happy as they seem. A lot of people are just putting on a show, whether it’s on social media or in real life.

Take New Year’s Eve in Times Square as an example. Maybe it looks like they’re having the time of their lives, but remember—they might have spent a thousand dollars to be there and are just acting happy for the photos. So don’t compare yourself to those surface-level images of joy.

And most importantly, don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you need it. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, dial (988) for the crisis hotline. It doesn’t mean you’re weak—in fact, it’s a sign of strength. It shows you care enough about yourself to take that step and seek support.

Sometimes, especially when we’re feeling alone, it’s easy to spiral into negative thoughts. But just explaining your situation to another person can completely change your perspective. I’ve seen it happen, and I’ve been part of those moments. It’s truly incredible how much of a difference it can make.

Sometimes, when someone opens up and starts sharing with you, you can almost see it click for them as they speak: Why am I letting this get so big in my life? Why does it feel so overwhelming? Just listening can help them realize it’s more manageable than it seemed.

So, now you’ve got some tools to help you navigate New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and the coming year. I hope these ideas help even a little bit.

To wrap things up for the evening, let’s keep it simple. Your homework (always optional) is to grab a big jar, some slips of paper, and starting tomorrow—yes, tomorrow—begin collecting your daily positive notes for the rest of the year.

Lastly, I want to remind everyone about areas of need around the world. Whether it’s Ukraine, the Middle East, or another region experiencing hardship, there are ways to help. For Ukraine specifically, check out links at UKR7.com. It provides ways to support Ukraine directly or indirectly.

If Ukraine isn’t your focus, there’s always the World Central Kitchen at WCK.org, which does incredible work providing meals in disaster areas worldwide. They’re an amazing organization making a real difference.

But let’s not forget, you don’t have to donate money to make a difference. Supporting local organizations in your area is just as impactful. Even if monetary contributions aren’t possible, you always have the power to brighten someone’s day in small ways—listening for a few moments, offering a smile, wishing someone well. Little gestures can ripple outwards and bring genuine happiness to someone’s life.

Remember, one of the best ways to care for yourself is by caring for others. It shifts your focus outward, changing your perspective and often bringing a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

That’s it for this evening! I wish you a wonderful New Year—a happy, safe, and fulfilling one. Thank you so much for stopping by. If you found something helpful or interesting, please share it, subscribe, and hit that like button. If not, drop me a comment about what you’d like to see in the future. Wishing you a fantastic week and an incredible year ahead. Remember to live the life you dream of—that’s the path to true contentment. Sending love and encouragement to everyone.

See you next week on 7EveryMinute and 7EveryMinute .com! Thank you.