Would you like to have more inner peace in 2013? Below are 7 powerful steps to getting there.

1. Take care of unfinished business

Un-kept promises, uncompleted projects, stacks of papers and unused objects keep you heavy with a burden of “shoulds” on your shoulders. Stop living with this subtle, underlying feeling of guilt. Watch what you take on and say “yes” to. Either do it or dump it.

2. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and feel your emotions

It’s okay to ask for help. It’s healthy to cry when you’re sad. Take a risk and open your heart and fall deeply in love. Vulnerability is a strength. If this seems difficult for you, ask, “What am I afraid of?” (See next)

3. Become intimate with your fears so you can dismantle them

You think if you stuff them or slap on a happy face they’ll go away but it never works that way. Your fears are an underlying energy inside of you that lowers your overall resonance, taking you farther away from feeling good. Instead of denying, distracting or defending them, honestly look at them with compassion and get curious so you can heal them.

4. Stop reading and watching negative information

If it brings you down, turn it off. You’ll learn everything you need to know without tuning into the drama of media, I promise. What are you choosing to take in and how does it make you feel?

5. Let go of drama

Do you over react? Are you in unhealthy relationships? Do you get pulled into other peoples’ stories or lives? Do you believe you have to struggle to get what you want? Do you love to gossip? Do you feel responsible for the happiness of others? Let it go.

6. Forgive yourself and others for the past.

The past is over. All that matters is now. Release the drama. Let it go and move on. It’s a choice to hold onto the tightness of resentment and anger or release it and find peace.

7. Stop worrying

Worrying only propels you spiraling downward. It creates drama. Take care of what you can take care of and let it go. Trust in the process of life. Remember, what you give attention will expand. Give attention to what you want more of in your life, not what you’re afraid of.

For most of us, many of the above are habits. The first, most powerful step to changing a habit is to recognize you do this and acknowledge the impact it’s having on your life.

Which of the above are you ready to recognize, acknowledge and release to have more inner peace in 2013?