As we step into the new year, it’s time to talk about what it truly means to live consciously in a world that's always pulling us in a thousand different directions.

So, what exactly IS conscious living? Conscious living is not about perfection. It's about awareness. It's about making intentional choices that align with our deepest values, our true selves, and the interconnected world around us. It's about moving through life with purpose, presence, and genuine understanding.

So, here are a few areas of conscious living I want to highlight to bring it into focus:

Mindful Awareness

Living consciously starts with one fundamental practice: paying attention. Not the kind of attention we give to our smartphones or the endless stream of notifications, but a deeper, more intentional awareness.

Imagine for a moment your typical day. How much of it do you actually experience? How much of it passes by in a blur of automatic responses, half-listened conversations, and unconscious reactions? Conscious living asks us to wake up – literally and metaphorically.

Starting off this new year, think about how you can show up differently with your friends, family and acquaintances. 

How can you bring your full self to every conversation you have. To REALLY listen it requires you to remain in a state of curiosity at all times. Tuning out all of the distractions so you can be there 100% for those around you.

Try this out and see if you can feel a difference. When we are truly present, we are serving others on a whole new level. I often feel that as I and those around me get older, it is far more important to savor those moments of connection and really do my part to have more meaningful moments - especially with those I love. 

Intentional Choice

Every single moment is an opportunity for choice. What we eat, how we speak, where we direct our energy – these are all choices that reflect our level of consciousness.

I remember a time when I was deep in my corporate career and everything I did was reactive. My days were a series of responses to external stimuli – emails, demands, other people's expectations. Part of this was due to my job and being HR which can be a very reactive role.

It took finally leaving this environment, as I started my own business to realize that I could take time to choose my responses and select where I was going to put my attention. By creating space between stimulus and reaction - I was allowing myself to direct my energy consciously instead of being at the mercy of others. This was a deliberate mindset shift that had to happen. 

I can tell you once you realize the power of choice you have in all areas of your life, you will start to make those significant changes to make your life even better. At first it feels so new to us - but choice is something we have had all along. It just takes peeling away those layers of false beliefs we have had over the years that our life is happening TO us. The reality is YOU get to choose everything! 

Connection and Interdependence

Conscious living recognizes that we're not isolated beings. We're part of a vast, intricate web of relationships – with each other, with nature, with the entire ecosystem of our planet.

This doesn't mean you need to become a hermit or completely overhaul your life overnight. It's about small, meaningful shifts. It's about asking: "How are MY choices impacting the world around me?"

This is a perspective to adopt moving into 2025. If we all can start thinking a bit more about the interconnectedness, we have with each other and the world around us and make our choices based on that, the better off we will all be.

Continuous Learning and Growth

Conscious living is a journey, not a destination. It's about remaining curious, humble, and open to new perspectives. It's about understanding that we're always evolving, always learning.

When you begin to look at your life and the questions come up around what you want or what is no longer working for you, you are opening yourself up to a more conscious way of living.

Take a moment right now. What's one area of your life where you could become more intentional? Where could you bring more awareness?

Living consciously is an act of courage. In a world designed to distract and disconnect, choosing awareness is revolutionary. It's about reclaiming your power, your attention, your life.

This week, I challenge you to practice one moment of pure presence each day. It could be:

- Eating a meal without your phone

- Taking a walk and truly observing your surroundings

- Having a conversation where you listen more than you speak

Try it out and notice how you feel.

Consciousness is a practice, not a destination. Keep showing up, keep being curious, and keep growing.