This year was exhausting, and as we live life post COVID-19 lockdowns and try to figure out what life looks like, we are all depleted and ready for a nap. But there’s one problem. Well, it’s not so much a problem. More of a fact – this week, we usher in the New Year. And with it, comes a truck load of hopes, expectations, fears and fatigue.
It is the time of year for resolutions and gym memberships, new books and new hobbies. All of these can be fantastic – but if we start the new year empty, we won’t get very far. We will probably burn out before the end of the first week, and the cycle continues for the rest of the year as we struggle to keep up.
So how can we interrupt the cycle of exhaustion and striving? By beginning the New Year with a fresh mindset that takes into account everything you have experienced in 2022. Try as we might, sometimes in an attempt to leave behind the past, we suppress our emotions and try to change things by sheer force. But quickly, our body, our brain and relationships all feel the brunt of this and ask us to reconsider our approach.
So what do you need to start afresh in the new year? Here are four questions that will guide you from January 1, so you can chase new dreams and set goals but still practice boundaries, self reflection, compassion, and have grace on yourself.
1. How do I feel right now?
Seriously, how do you feel reflecting on 2022? Happy, sad, disappointed, angry – are you numb? None of these emotions are bad, and just because they don’t appear like the cliché smiling ‘Happy new Year’ posts we see on social media, doesn’t mean they are any less common.
2. Why do I feel this way?
What happened, or didn’t happen this year, that caused you to feel this way? Consider relationships that were lost or developed, crises, your health, work/life balance, your finances and your relationship with your partner. It’s okay to feel multiple emotions at once. For instance, you may feel relief that a relationship ended, yet also grieve that fact that you lost hopes, dreams and plans you held for that relationship.
3. What is my body telling me?
Your body often knows what going on inside you before you make the connection in your mind. And chances are, these emotions have been mulling over and sitting in your body since the events occurred. So stop and listen to your body. Is it sore, tense, on edge? Are you at ease, do you feel tender or vulnerable? Do you have energy, or is it hard to get out of bed? If you feel depleted or sore, perhaps your body is still in fight or flight mode after a long year. Adjust your expectations for the new year accordingly. Schedule in time for self care, or don’t commit to new activities. Maybe you just need a break for awhile.
4. What expectations am I carrying?
What do you expect for yourself in the new year? Perhaps you believe you should always be available to help family or friends. Maybe you want a promotion at work. You may be coming down hard on yourself and have set a regimented schedule to please yourself, your partner, or your boss. Figure out what expectations are necessary, what are negotiable, and what need to be thrown out. There is a chance you are expecting yourself to be a robot or superhero, instead of a human. And given our resilience is down due to COVID-19, you will likely need to make adjustments, even when it means letting people down.
Would you like a fresh start in 2023? Contact Colleen on 0434 337 245, Duncan on 0434 331 243 or Rachel on 0422 1771 93 for a FREE 10-minute phone consultation on how we can best help you, or press book now.
