Reality Check: That Fresh New Year Fragrance

Have you ever bought one of those air fresheners called “new car smell”? For a few bucks, you can bask in the scent of rich leather. Or maybe it’s rich vinyl. Either way, you can experience a luxurious new car scent without the inconvenience of having to part with thousands and thousands of dollars for an actual new car.
Different scents can trigger different emotions. When you walk into a room filled with the warm smell of freshly-baked cookies, doesn’t that make you feel happier?
Some folks in the real estate business, and I’m sure in other businesses as well, are aware of the power of scents and how they can help their customers get into a positive “buying” mood.
There are other enjoyable scents, too, like the fresh smell of just-mown lawn, the warm smell of baby powder, or the joy of roses in June.
Joy isn’t the only emotion that’s triggered by scent, of course. You may be familiar with the scents of difficult, anxious times, such as the antiseptic smell of hospital. And whether some smells are perceived as pleasant or unpleasant depends on perspective; the fragrance of manure on a field may be an intrusive annoyance for some, but for the farmer, a satisfying reminder of a job well done.
Each January, we come into a new year. Whether we choose to celebrate it or despair about it largely depends on our perspective. “Another year older,” some sigh. “New opportunities!” exclaim others. And, “I wonder what this year will bring?” could be asked with dread or excitement, depending on the outlook.
We have choices in how we view the New Year. Here’s an idea for you: look at the New Year as if it has a certain scent to it.
For example, we could view the year as if it has a comforting fragrance; one that evokes warmth and closeness with our family, friends, everyone.
Or, we might be alert to the scent of anxiety and dread, one that doesn’t quite know what to expect but is pretty sure it’s going to be bad. Maybe you are enveloped by a scent of concern or suspicion about the people and the world around you. Some may detect an ongoing scent of being rushed, having no time to think, no moment to spare, no peace at all.
Having small physical reminders in our lives can have big positive effects. For example, in previous columns I’ve mentioned the benefit of keeping some sort of notebook in which to record what we’re grateful for each day. Some people keep mementos, artwork, photographs or mottoes posted in their surroundings to remind them of what’s important.
Along the same line, then here’s a suggestion for you to consider to set the tone for your New Year. Choose a scent that evokes an emotion for you that you want in your life. Introduce that scent to your environment, whether through an essential oil, a candle, even an air freshener.
For example, maybe you could use more of the calm of lavender in your life. Or perhaps you’d prefer the alertness of citrus or the action-orientation that comes with mint. Maybe you’re seeking the comfort of warm cookie smell. Or maybe you’d like the luxury and possibly the motivation, that might come with new car smell!
The choice is yours. What fragrance do you want in your New Year?