New year, Same me?

Happy new year everyone! Can you believe it’s already 2022?! It’s the new year, and I’m sure you have already set your New Year’s resolutions. Let’s talk about it!

The new year can be a great time to set new intentions and goals for yourself. Some examples being: eating healthier, working out more, start therapy, improve communication, read a book every month, etc. But what happens when we feel zero motivation to begin, have no idea how to begin, and find ourselves resorting back to old patterns? I’m here to tell you that you are not alone in this cycle process. How often have you started to create change and by February you’re back to our “old” self? I cannot tell you how many times I’ve done this!

Why is that?

The new year can bring excitement, passion and motivation because there is a want and need to create change in life. Once you’ve reflected, it is as if there is a spark of light that kicks in, thus we create New Year’s resolutions. I like to think of December as reflection month for the year and January being the month of action. However, what about the other months?

Have you ever felt low, depressed, anxious after the holiday festivities? Not only is January the action month, it can also be the month that brings us back to reality. As we create these passionate goals for ourselves, we’re also hit with the real world and responsibilities. Come February, we may have forgotten our goals because of the hardships these winter months can bring. How have you felt once you realized you did not complete your resolution? Guilt? Shame? Added pressure?

Be. Gentle. With. Yourself

Just by you wanting to create change already means you’re doing the work. Getting started is hard, trust me, I’ve been there. Creating change means letting go of things we are comfortable with. Creating change is scary. Create change when YOU feel ready. Not because of “new year new me.” If you are someone who pressures yourself already, why add more? Take this opportunity to put yourself first and create change when you feel it is necessary. The more we are willing, the better success we have. If we create goals and are not willing, we might set ourselves up for failure. If you are someone who wants to create change, start in baby steps. Sometimes when we create goals that appear huge, we may not know how to get started or it could feel overwhelming. Start small and start detailed. If your goal is to eat healthy every day, try changing it to “I’m going to have one healthy meal a day,” and add on if you need too.

We have to learn how to walk before we run. Think of this analogy when thinking about goals. Walk first and then run. That way, you can successfully reach your goals without added pressure.

It is okay to enter the new year as the same you the previous year. Ask yourself first, why do I truly want to change? If there is an answer, create smaller goals to achieve your big goal.

If you don’t know why you want to change, you are allowed to just be who you are!

-Izzy