New Year, Better Me: Why I’m Improving Not Changing
Looks like we made it, look how far we’ve come my baby…
After feeling hazy from all the drinks and dizzy from all the bright lights or heavy from the obscene amount of food we all happily consumed, we’re finally here – in the throes of another new year.
The skies look a little brighter and hope feels a bit more tangible than it did a few weeks ago.
Isn’t that the great joy of the new year buzz? It’s almost like as opposed to January rain what pours is a burst of green energy heavy enough to power an entire population of resolute individuals and we all get a little wet with ambition.
Suddenly, going to the gym seems like easy feet, eating healthy doesn’t feel like a tasteless chore and keeping tabs with friends and family feels easy to do just after the festivities.
The cold winter months seem like no big deal to take on now and the vision for the next 365 days or so appears to be so much clearer in the new year air.
Who knew it didn’t have to be so hard, being on your best behaviour?
For now, at least…
Not to burst the perfectly wrapped bubble around you already, but how long does the ‘New Year, New Me’ vibe actually stick around?
Over the years, I’ve learned all it takes is a little wrong step to fall right back into bad habits. I also know the wrong step can happen at any given moment. You may trip up on a dark grey day when it seems the sun may never come out again. You may struggle to find your feet when trying something you assumed would be much easier. Worst of all, you may give up too soon once the ‘New You’ feels a bit too much like a stranger to the ‘Real You’.
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For this reason, my motto this time around is ‘New Year, Better me’ because I want to be sure any goals I set for the year make it past the 15-day mark. Rather than set unachievable resolutions that will slide away slowly like wet tissue on a mirror, I’ve found it’s best to set intentional realistic goals that aim to improve the life I already live.
By striving to improve, instead of transforming into the ultimate ‘perfected’ version of myself, I set myself up for success rather than failure.
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I aim to take more steps ahead than I’m used to. To read more books than I already do. Perhaps, I’ll get to hit the gym once or twice a week since I’ve not gone consistently in about a year. Or I’ll try doing something that scares me and dip my toe into the wide ocean, get a feel for its waters before taking the deep dive.
Either way, I’ll still be trying to grab the shiny gems in the water, I’ll just be going at it gently, cautiously and with much grace for my imperfect self to grow.
Happy New Year! x
Your restless romantic roamer