Journey to the Sunnyside

Hey there, and welcome back to Journey to the Sunny Side. I'm Mike Hardinbrook, and today we're going to talk into stepping into the new year. I want to take some time to talk about self compassion, about reflection, and about creating a plan for mindful improvement. Because this time of year isn't just about setting goals, it's also a time for us to look back, to learn from our past, and to create a plan of moving forward with intention. The truth is none of us have had a flawless record, a flawless year.

We've all made mistakes. We've missed goals that we set up for ourselves, and we've even taken steps backwards. But you know what? That's part of being human, and improvement isn't all about perfect execution. It's about showing up.

It's about learning as you go and making intentional choices that align with the life that you want to create. Because mistakes are part of the process and what really matters is how we respond to them. And there's a quote that I love by Maya Angelou and that is, Do the best that you can until you know better, and then when you know better, do better. And this really sums up self compassion perfectly. It's about giving yourself grace for the things you didn't know or couldn't do before using those for the lessons to improve moving forward.

And as we look back on this past year, I want you to take a moment to really focus on the win. Even if it didn't go exactly as planned, there were moments of progress, there were moments that you made choices that aligned with the life that you want. So for example, maybe you stuck to a plan for a week, maybe you skipped a drink at a party, or just became more aware of your habits. Those moments actually matter and they're proof that you're capable of change. So looking ahead, setting ambitious goals is a great way to push yourself, but it's also important to leave room for flexibility because the truth is, life doesn't always go as planned, and you know what?

That's okay. The key is to focus on progress and not perfection. And in fact, research shows that self compassion actually makes us more resilient when we're facing challenges. And a study published in the Journal of Self and Identity found that people who practice self compassion are more likely to stay motivated and less likely to give up when they encounter setbacks. So it's about not going easy on yourself, it's more about giving yourself the support that you need to keep going.

And when it comes to mindful drinking, having a plan is one of the most effective ways to make progress. So start reflecting on your current habits, how often are you drinking, how much, and just as important, why. Maybe you're drinking to unwind, to celebrate, or maybe it's just out of habit. So understanding your habits is the first step to creating a plan that works for you. And once you've got that baseline, it's about where you want to go.

Maybe it's adding more alcohol free days, cutting back on the number of drinks at social events, or maybe just taking an extended break. So whatever your goal is, make sure that they're both realistic and manageable. And with that in mind, small consistent changes are far more effective than trying to overhaul everything at once, which we tend to do around this time of year. And this is where planning ahead makes a big difference. When you know what your week looks like, when you'll drink, when you won't drink, it takes a lot of the guesswork out of this equation.

So for example, if you've got a big party on Saturday and your plan is to only have drinks one night of the week, you can plan for the rest of the week to be alcohol free and just having that intentionality helps you stay in control of your choices. With planning in place, that moves into tracking. Tracking is another tool that makes a huge difference when it comes to habits. So whether you're tracking through an app like Sunnyside, a journal, or maybe even just notes on your phone, tracking helps you stay more aware. And research backs this up too.

Studies show that people who track their progress are significantly more likely to achieve their goals. So it's not about being perfect, it's about staying accountable and learning from the patterns that we see in our behaviors. And while you're working on reducing or moderating your drinking, it's also important to think about what you're adding to your life. Maybe it's prioritizing better sleep. Maybe it's exercising more, or just spending more quality time with family.

Realizing that these positive changes create a foundation that supports your goals makes it easier to stick with them. And let's not forget the importance of self compassion here. There will be moments where you slip up, where you are not perfect. Maybe you'll have an extra drink at a party or skip a planned alcohol free gay. And here's the thing, that's okay.

What matters isn't that you made the mistake, it's about how you respond to it. So instead of beating yourself up, take a moment to pause and reflect. Ask yourself what happened and why and how can I adjust moving forward? Because these mistakes aren't just failures, they're actually opportunities to learn. And one of my favorite ways to reframe mistakes is to think about them as data points.

Each one of them gives you valuable information about what's working and what isn't. And it's not about blaming yourself, it's about staying curious. And as Brene Brown says, there is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period. And that applies to personal growth too.

Mistakes mean that you're trying, and the fact that you're trying is the most important part. And mindful drinking is a long game. It's not about quick fixes or short term challenges, it's about creating habits that last, and those habits are built through small, consistent actions over time. And every step that you take towards being more intentional, no matter how small it is, is a step in the right direction. So as you think about the year ahead, remember to look back on how far you've actually come, even if it doesn't feel like it was all that much.

And the fact that you're here listening to the podcast, well, that means that you're already thinking about how to improve so you can give yourself a pat on the back to that. And if you're looking for more support, Sunnyside is an incredible tool to help plan, track, and stay on top of your goals, all without judgment. And as we wrap up today, I wanna leave you with this. Be kind to yourself. That's just so important.

Celebrate the wins no matter how small they feel, learn from the challenges, and give yourself space to grow. Because improvement isn't about being perfect, it's about staying intentional. It's about being curious. It's about being consistent. So thanks for spending some time with me today and cheers to your mindful drinking journey.