New Year Doesn't Have to Mean New You

After watching the iconic Ball Drop, we all have said the phrase “New Year, New Me.” Honestly, who can blame us? Walking into a New Year does feel like a fresh start, and there is no better way to start fresh than by vowing to practice better habits.

This, of course, leads us to New Year's resolutions, the promises we make and ultimately break every year. As we welcome in 2022, it's easy to feel a sense of pressure to become a “better” version of ourselves. Whether it's to get fit, save money, or drop a bad habit—we have all made a resolution. The real question we should be asking is why do we feel so much pressure to be better?

Whenever you look up New Year's resolutions, you’re instantly bombarded with lists of resolutions you should take up and ways to keep them. But, one thing you never see is you don't have to change who you are just because it's a New Year.

The thing with “New Year, New Me” is that it implies that there is something wrong with you and that you have to become a “new” person. Of course, it’s perfectly ok to work on yourself and make goals, but the concept of completely changing who you are in the name of “embitterment” can create an unhealthy relationship with yourself.

What we should really be striving for is having patience with ourselves. To accept ourselves as we are now and acknowledge all that we may have gone through—good or bad—to get to where we are today. Instagram poet @d.m__poetry wrote a post about New Year’s pressure and perfectly articulates showing gratitude for who you are now, not who you have to be.

Instead of creating lists of resolutions this year, write down little ways to show yourself gratitude and appreciation once a week. This can include things like “I like the way I talk to others,” and “I am a super creative individual.” You can also integrate little activities that make you happy such as going for a walk, or getting yourself that bagel you've been fantasizing over during your morning meetings.

The main resolution you should have for this New Year is to be kind and gentle to yourself while investing in your own growth. Take it day by day, and be mindful of your progress—whether it’s fast or slow—because it will ultimately get you where you want to be.

And just remember, you don't need to strive to be a “New You” because you are enough as you are now.

How will you appreciate yourself this New Year? Leave a comment below.