In the first month of the year, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the past and setting goals for the future. New Year resolutions have become a tradition, offering a fresh start and an opportunity for personal growth. However, it is important to strike a balance between striving for self-improvement and maintaining what you already have. Be it ‘Dry-Jan’, ‘Veganuary’ or any personal goal you have, now is the time to tick it off… or is it?
New Year resolutions can be highly beneficial and successful, they provide you with a fresh year and a fresh perspective or “New Year New Me” mindset. This is great for motivation, and sets some level of discipline, making you feel a little embarrassed to break your resolution if you’ve made it public knowledge! Likewise, you may have friends also in it with you, so working together can be great for morale. Whether it's adopting a healthier lifestyle, learning a new skill, or cutting out things from your life, resolutions help us articulate our aspirations in real time and take proactive steps to make them a reality. So good for you, you can wait for a glass of wine until Feb!
Don’t be fooled. Whilst new year's resolutions play a part in our traditions and are an important step for change in many people’s lives, it doesn’t have to be ‘all or nothing’ as soon as January hits. There isn't always, but certainly can be, a toxic culture around new years resolutions that pressure you into something you don’t want or simply cannot handle. Pressuring ourselves to achieve perfection can lead to stress, anxiety, and even burnout. So feel free to throw caution to the wind and skip it altogether. Prioritise yourself. If setting a steady lifestyle change is something you’ve been working towards, stay on your own course. Don’t feel like you need to make extra change, or any at all, to follow the trend. “New Year, Same Me” sounds pretty good to us.
New Year resolutions can be a powerful tool for personal growth and development, but they should be approached with care. If you’re committing, great! and good luck!! But a little reminder to set goals that are realistic, nurture your self-acceptance, and prioritise your own needs. We want to strike a balance between self-improvement and self-care.
Remember, the new year is an opportunity for growth, but also a chance to appreciate and accept ourselves for who we are. Ultimately, the most important resolution we can make is to always put our well-being first and find happiness in the journey, regardless of the destination.