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The new year always gives us a spring of hope for the many experiences, doors opened, and moments we have yet to welcome. It also means we get to recalibrate our goals or start new ones— a way of guaranteeing we achieve something for the year.
Although we all celebrate a new calendar and all it entails, a lot may feel overwhelmed. The new year sometimes brings a wave of pressure. Rightfully so, as delving into a sea of possibilities can get even the most seasoned explorers a bit weary. Those who feel they're supposed to turn in a "new and improved" version of themselves as soon as the clock strikes twelve might feel pressed for time. Some might also feel overwhelmed by unfamiliarity. Others may also feel like the last year has too strong of a hold that it gets in the way of moving forward.
All of these emotions are valid and normal. It takes quite some effort to put you on the best footing to get the new year into full swing, so it's best to do it with intention. Here are some ways to do it:
Embrace the pace.
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We tend to write down our resolutions the moment we can as soon as the year hits. We materialize it into words— thought into paper, aiming for big goals as we go.
It's normal to set big goals, even healthy, as it shapes how we want to act and think. It gives us a sense of direction, our personal north stars. However, when the new year strikes, we feel pressured to do all those goals, no matter how big or small, all at once. Somehow we get wired to think the new year's packed in one month, and the tendency to get resolution burnout has us catching our breath at the end of the month and constantly checking our backs as to how far we've come in that short period of time. Our advice? Take it one step at a time. By pacing yourself, you're saving yourself from unnecessary pressure and opening up to more intentional, sustainable goals that will let you see & feel progress on a different level.
Know you're not starting from zero.
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Whether the new year signals turning over a new leaf or letting go of old roles for better ones— maybe even just ruminating about how far you've come and afraid the new year might not live up to it, remember you're not starting from an empty slate.
Whatever you've achieved is ingrained within you as a testament to what you can do (and what you have in store!) The lessons learned, or unlearned, will always contribute somehow and somewhere within your journey. It just takes a little harder to keep it in mind, but keeping this perspective could make all the difference.
Practice your love language consistently.
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When we think of practicing a love language, we immediately think of how to show it to people around us. While it's necessary to form this mindset, it's not selfish to try it out for ourselves. Or perhaps we do, but we do it sparingly.
When we apply our favorite love languages to ourselves, we find ways to make life more joyful. No matter how small or mundane it might seem, those little springs of delight ultimately make progress more manageable. There's always something to look forward to because we strive to make the journey worthwhile at the same time, beautiful in the small ways we can. Try it out for yourself. If your love language is gift-giving, make it a habit to pick yourself flowers every week. For those who love quality time, give yourself a day of indulging in guilt-free day trips alone. Maybe you're a fan of acts of service. Make it a habit to do something you would thank yourself for every month. It's the seemingly small acts of love toward ourselves that make the journey not feel monotonous or dreary. Pretty soon, you'll be able to notice how it not only practices the appreciation for the small things and how we can sustain our own source of joy, but how it could make motivate us to keep going.
For a consistent source of progress you could see & feel.
It’s never too early, or too late to start putting progress into full swing until we reach our momentum. Remember, January is only part of the bigger journey. You’re not in a race or a competition so feel free to discover the best way to keep yourself on track!