Right about now we are all supposed to be winding down, chilling out, feeling relaxed and getting in the ‘festive’ spirit.
But for many, and especially after the last couple of years of adapting, responding and re-imagining our work and home lives on so many levels, it almost feels like we are still in ‘fight or flight’ mode, and starting to forget all the lessons we should have learned from the pandemic, particularly around wellbeing, mental health and self-awareness. Add to all of this the cost-of-living crisis, and many will be feeling exhaustion and extreme pressure to keep up with the season’s demands, now that everything is flying forwards after being on hold for so long, making the environment ripe for burnout and feelings of loss of control.
Almost as if the pandemic hadn’t ever happened, we all seem to be scooting ahead, rushing around, filling up our free time and space with unnecessary tasks and duties and all manner of traditional ‘Christmassy’ things that are not necessarily healthy or beneficial for our wellbeing.
It can be so easy to fall back into bad habits once the predominant motivating factor for change is removed. But when we adjust our mindset, we can change our behaviour. Now, more than ever, we need to instil a healthy approach to how we treat ourselves and others, and how we model the right behaviour around wellbeing for our peers to follow. So here are my top three reverse resolutions to not do in the new year, to set yourself up for a healthy start and a healthy mindset, which should get you off to a perfect start in 2023:
1. Being more ‘productive’ by being ‘busier’ – one thing we’ve learned from the data and real time experience is that creating space away from being busy and giving ourselves time to rest and recalibrate actually makes us more productive, not less. Why not set yourself the target of creating more thinking space and ‘me time,’ as part of your new year routine?
2. Going to the gym – let’s face it, you’ll probably end up going for a month max, before knocking it on the head and will have wasted your heard earned money on something that doesn’t last! As an alternative, why not spend the money on enjoyable outdoor experiences with people who make you feel energised, and create some long-lasting memories to take with you?
3. Setting unrealistic goals – to steal the wise words from this year’s Strictly champion Hamza Yassin, “slowly is the fastest way to get to where you want to be.” Instead of setting yourself ridiculously difficult goals and trying to get to the finish line through the fastest route possible, why not take slow, purposeful steps, being sure to stop along the way to smell the flowers, appreciate how far you’ve come and enjoy the journey? Not only will you actually arrive at your destination faster than you realise, but you will also have absorbed some valuable lessons, and will have treated yourself with the patience, respect and self-care you deserve.
Here’s to a cracking 2023, filled with peace, resilience and self-awareness. Have a good one, and see you across the finish line of 2024, whenever and however you get there!