The most wonderful time of the year is, in my opinion, followed by the least wonderful time of the year. Enter the ‘New Year, New Me’ season. The lights, bells and wreaths are packed away. Only to be replaced with impossible goals, vision boards and various words for the year. Most of which, will have faded to a distant memory by late March.

So, why is the new year my least favourite time of year? I’ll be vulnerable – my word for 2023 – because I’m tired… I’m tired of feeling like I need to constantly level up and become an entirely new version of myself, overnight.

New Year’s resolutions, such as getting fit, can inevitably fail.Credit: iStock

In hindsight, ‘tired’ should have been my actual word for 2023 because it’s what I felt most of the time. Unfortunately, the ‘New Year, New Me’ season only seems to amplify the feeling of exhaustion.

We start the year by listing the transformations we must make. We want to be more healthy, more present or more active. We aim to be a better partner, parent or person. All great things. The goals are not the problem. It’s the sentiment behind them.

So often, we create New Year’s resolutions from a place of self-criticism. We focus on the things we don’t like about ourselves and set unattainable goals to fix these flaws.

It’s not surprising that when we inevitably fail to achieve our resolutions, we berate ourselves even further. It is failure on top of failure, and a miserable place to be.

It’s left me wondering, where did the idea of New Year’s resolutions come from? And why do we religiously follow this tradition? It’s as though we need a date in the calendar and strict terms and conditions to change. All improvements must be submitted no later than the 31st of December. Changes will commence effective from 1 January and continue until the end of time. Or at least until the 17th of January, when you inevitably drop the ball.

After so many years of failed resolutions, I’ve had enough. Instead of the detailed list with all the fundamental changes I need to make, I’m starting “New Year, Same Me” resolutions.

QOSHE - What should you achieve in 2024? More of the same - Shelley Johnson
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What should you achieve in 2024? More of the same

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12.01.2024

The most wonderful time of the year is, in my opinion, followed by the least wonderful time of the year. Enter the ‘New Year, New Me’ season. The lights, bells and wreaths are packed away. Only to be replaced with impossible goals, vision boards and various words for the year. Most of which, will have faded to a distant memory by late March.

So, why is the new year my least favourite time of year? I’ll be vulnerable – my word for 2023 – because I’m tired… I’m tired of feeling like I need to constantly level up and........

© The Sydney Morning Herald


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