Mantras for the New Year

Dzireena Mahadzir
starmag-feedback@thestar.com.my
I CAN’T believe it’s the end of another year. This is the time to reflect on the year gone by and on what goals you met (or didn’t), the drama that kept you entertained, the shopping done ... you get the picture.
It’s also the time for New Year’s resolutions. I’m really bad at this – half the time, I never keep them, and most of the time, I can’t remember what they were!
This time however, it’s going to be put in writing right here. So let’s look at the possible things we might want to consider doing next year.
1) Get rid of all the clutter
In the spirit of economising and cutting back, maybe it’s time to start thinking of the things and people you don’t need, the ones who clutter your life and don’t bring any benefit to you. Remember – “in order for new things and people to come into your life, you need to get rid of old things”.
Let’s start with things. Clear out everything you don’t need. I keep saying this, but I have yet to do it.
The trick, I believe, is knowing what is worth keeping and what needs to be thrown out. Despite being just objects, sometimes there could be some form of attachment to them. They could be connected to a favourite memory or time in your life, and you’re just not ready to let that go, so you end up keeping a storehouse of memories, when you should really get rid of them.
It’s much harder when it comes to people. Who do you want to keep in your life and who should you let go? People come into your life for a reason, When their time is up, they go. Or if they’re fated to remain longer, they stay. Is it that simple? Can you put people and things in the same box and ruthlessly discard the ones you no longer have any use for or ever want to see again?
I think what I want to do is discard, quite ruthlessly, anyone that falls in the category of toxic friends, emotional vampires and frenemies. These are not people you want to keep in your life.
It’s all very well to make new friends, but when they have no other function but to annoy the hell out of you, they have no further right to be in your life.
I always think of this quote from Plato when it comes to people: “People are like dirt. They can either nourish you and help you grow as a person or they can stunt your growth and make you wilt and die.”
As for material objects, well, replacing the heel of a shoe, a stained dress or last season’s handbag is certainly much easier than replacing a friend, but in the long run, which will give you a bigger headache? Which brings me to number two.
2) Next year should be about You
When I say that, I don’t mean being self-absorbed or selfish. I just mean, take a little time for you. Concentrate on you. Whether it’s self-improvement, your health or just taking time out, do it now. And while you’re at it, you need to remember the next resolution....
3) Learning to say ‘No’
And mean it. Say no when you really don’t want to do something. No one should have the right to force you to do anything. This is a little bit hard when it comes to family and editors, but since the former will kill you emotionally, and the latter can cut you off financially, they should be the only exceptions. And that brings us to the final resolution.
4) Small things bother small minds
That’s right. When channelling positive energy and willing the laws of the universe to respond to you (Hah! Now I sound quite mad), you need to always think positive. There is nothing that you cannot do, nothing that is impossible or unattainable.
And everything always has a solution. Always. So, don’t bother with the people who moved your shoes or handbag. It is not worth it. Focus on the things and people that matter, and you’ll be happier and less stressed. Remember: “Act as if you have already achieved your goal and it is yours.”
There you go. Now I’ve just got to remember to apply all this next year. Have a happy, fabulous and stylish New Year!
Fashion lover and bag mad Dzireena Mahadzir lives by two rules: never pay retail and never explain. If you’d like to bring up a fashionable issue or ask some stylish questions, send an SoS to her e-mail address above