Five ways to redo and reset from the January “wearies”
WOW. Did anyone else feel like January 2022 was the LONGEST month in the history of months? January can already feel… wearisome. We take the decorations down, return to work/school and the buzz from the holidays quiet down to make room for the New Year things. We’re typically bombarded with articles and advertisements for resolutions, diets, fitness goals, self-love goals, drink-less goals, do-more goals and “how to be the bestest, best version of yourself this year!,” and this January was no different... except couple that with another year of the pandemic. It was all a bit too much.
I vote for a re-do. And since that’s not possible, a reset. Maybe January was the month we just needed to “get through.” Get through all the noise, the uncertainty, the adjustments. What if February were our reset month and a place to reflect and take stock in how we are actually doing? Maybe we really need to consider if we need a January to start anything in the first place. Yes, sometimes timing can feel meaningful and inspiring, but it’s one size fits one, so if it’s not for you, leave it. Here are some ways we think adjusting to this new year might be helpful for you.
Self-reflect before you goal set. Take stock in all the great things you did through the year, all that you’ve survived. Take a minute to soak in and list all of the things you accomplished last year, big and small. This is your foundation.
Acknowledge the emotions.. January brought up a lot of feelings for me – hope and doubt, motivation and resistance, relief and apprehension. Initially, these dichotomous emotions had me feeling incredibly off balance and unsure of myself. But when you take a step back, it beings to make sense that instead of questioning myself for feeling those feelings, I just needed to have allow space for them.
Then validate the experience. As I spoke to other friends, family and colleagues about this, I realized that most of us have experienced quite the same range of big and little feelings over the last month, let alone last 2 years. Making space to validate whatever is going on for you emotionally is an incredibly powerful gift to yourself. Be reassured, that all the things you feel and think, are truly valid. This little act of acknowledgement does wonders on easing the tension, pressure and hold those very feelings have on us.
Start small. I mean miniscule, teeny, tiny steps. Maybe you would like to practice more self-love. Maybe you genuinely would like to eat more green things. That is all well and good! But start small and reasonable. Maybe you put 1 extra veggie in your cart or set aside 5 minutes in your day to practice gratitude. Starting small and reasonable will help us remain consistent instead of overwhelmed and pressured.
Ditch the pressure: Social media can be helpful and harmful always, but we feel it especially around New Years. Reframe that you don’t have to be the person who changes their whole life style in 30 days or less. You can be, and you cannot be. Remember, one size fits one. Take what feels right, and leave the rest.
If nothing else, you’ve made it through a really weird couple of years, and a really long month, and I consider that a win. Be gentle, to you. Be kind, to you. And, perhaps you’ll start to notice more wins as they come to you, too.
be well,
erica + erica