New Year, Same Me
The new year can come with the pressure of creating a whole new you. From changing your style to finding a new job, reflecting on your personal life, and making resolutions that you probably won't stick to.
Every new year we sit with our journal and write down ways to become a new and improved version of ourselves. But for those who have been working hard throughout the year to get to a place of comfort with who we are and where we are in life, do not feel pressured to reevaluate the work you have done so far and find more changes to make.
So much time and effort has gone into liking who you are, finding a job or hobbies that you enjoy, setting boundaries, and creating a daily routine that works for you. So why change it or find faults when you can start the new feeling happy and content?
Yes, the new year is a time for reflection, and it can be an opportunity to start again or make changes in certain areas of your life – if that's what you want to do.
Don’t give into the belief that your new year is off to a bad start if you want to say, “New Year same me”. You might be starting the new year feeling love, happiness, or even peace and you don't want to find ways to “level up” your life for the sake of a new year.
This is a reminder that it's totally okay if you don't want to turn your whole life around, adjust your diet, change your appearance, or add more habits to your daily routine.
You can live in the moment and feel peace with where you are and who you are right now. There shouldn't be an expectation that we constantly need to look for things to change about ourselves, especially because it's the new year. It's important to take time to appreciate the present moment, what you have created for yourself, and the person that you have put in the work to become. This “it's the new year I must find things improve” state of mind can be so exhausting. Thinking that where we are isn't enough and we must always do better, or we must keep up with other people isn’t a healthy mindset and can do more harm than good to our mental well-being.
It's okay to like your job, it's okay to like who you are right now and if you've already created a routine and developed healthy habits that work for you then it’s okay to stick to what you know.
For many the new year can be a fresh start and the perfect time to make life changes, develop a new style, or set new goals and it can really make a positive difference.
But this is a reminder that we are all on our own journeys and if this new year you don’t want to make any changes because you feel you are right where you want or need to be then that is great too.
You also don't need to have it all figured out at the start of the new year. As the year goes on you will find new goals, make new resolutions, and move towards a path that feels natural and fits who you are in that moment.
It can feel great to get organized, have a big clear out or look at your goals for the year but don't feel pressured to try to ‘fix your life’ by the end of January. You'll feel it when the time is right for a change, a shift in your lifestyle, habits, or goals.
Do everything in your own time and you're more likely to achieve success with the goals you set yourself and the changes that you want to make. Ask yourself why you want to do something and who you're doing it for. If it’s just because it's the new year and you need to keep up with everyone else, then it's not right for you.
This is just a reminder that there's nothing wrong with embracing your life now by saying “New Year same me”.