Beginnings

It's the time of year when we see the message of 'New Year, New You', almost everywhere we look. How does it make you feel?

I rarely make New Year’s Resolutions. For some people, the new year really does feel like a fresh start and using that energy can really spur them on to leave behind the old and bring in the new. If that applies to you, then that’s wonderful! Dive into the new year with intentions and plans for the year ahead!

For many of us however, this is not the case. The weather is still dark and cold and the post-Christmas twinges of discomfort from overindulgence and overspending can leave us feeling flat, which doesn't create the best mindset from which to make changes. If this is true for you, my suggestion is to wait a while, perhaps even setting a reminder and looking at your desires and intentions for the year ahead again in a couple of months.  You may find that as the days lengthen, you feel more inspired.

But if you are still craving quiet and rest, January is the perfect time for that. The pressures and emotions of Christmas have passed and although we are emerging into the light, it is a slow journey.

Two of my favourite words are ‘savour’ and ‘relish’ and for me, these words are made for January. Although my clinic is always busy in January, I like to savour the 'permission’ to keep my social diary almost empty, intentionally and as a choice. I relish the quietness, the slow passing of the day and the long, velvet nights. Time will rush by soon enough and another winter will be behind us. For this month, I like to sink as deeply as I can into the comfort of blankets, fires, candles, warm drinks.

My suggestion is not to get caught up in the comparison trap as people around you talk or post about their goals for the year. Stay with you and and what feels good (and know that many resolutions fall by the wayside by February, of course)Most importantly, as the new year begins, don’t let shame derail you. Try to keep an eye on that internal narrative that might start ‘Another year and you still haven’t done/got/been/felt/started/finished/decided…  It doesn’t help, ever. And it really doesn’t help when it’s dark and cold.

Sink, soften, rest. Just for a little longer. You will emerge renewed.