If you haven't given much thought to the year ahead but want to make some meaningful plans just know that you are not behind. Social media has been full of new year resolutions, what's in and out and posts about smashing goals and being a success. If you'd like to take control of 2024 but have felt weighed down with the heaviness of January, now is an ideal time to give it some thought. No matter what social media may lead us to believe we are exactly where we are meant to be. We don't need to rush into anything.
You're not behind in life.
"There's no timetable that we all must follow.
It's made up.
7 billion people can't do everything in the same order.
What's early? What's late? Compared to who?
Don't beat yourself up for where you are.
It's YOUR schedule and everything is right on time."
Emily Maroutian
Let's first look at January and why it's not a good month, in my opinion, to be making lots of plans and resolutions. As the first month of the year it receives a barrage of criticism and negativity. It's long, dark and depressing. Perhaps you feel like you have been mindlessly wading through, crawling on your hands and knees to the end of the month. This is all ok. Until five years ago I really disliked it. But I decided to reframe how I felt about January and how I could use it to my advantage.
Firstly, I don't allow myself to get swept up in the whole new year, new you, unsustainable resolutions frenzy. Instead I enjoy January. If we look around us we are in the depths of winter and it feels natural to embrace hibernation. Unfortunately I'm not a bear though! I think my family would have something to say if I curled up in a cave for the winter months. But I certainly hunker down and lean into the coziness of January. I use this slower period to think about the year ahead - what I want to achieve, things I'd like to do and plans I want to put in place for future years. I also reflect on last years plans. I find September is also a great month to review and plan too.
BUT please don't think I achieve everything on my list one hundred percent of the time. To give you an example there has been one thing that has reappeared on my list for the past two years. It's only partially completed and has been put on the back burner for a couple of reasons. However, now is the right time to complete it and I feel positive at the prospect. It will not appear on next years list!
Be your own priority
We are now at the beginning of February and spring is on the horizon. This is when everything renews and comes back to life. In my opinion, it's the perfect time to formulate our ideas, start putting things into practice and seeing them grow and hopefully flourish. It may sound a cliche but we are worth spending some of our own time on. Make yourself your own priority. You will certainly thank yourself for it.
February
"It's time to release what holds you back
and let this month be your fresh start.
You deserve to be free."
Positively Present
If you feel inspired to get planning and are looking for a way to organise your thoughts take a read of an article I wrote last January:
Here I give some practical advice on looking at the year ahead and some ideas on areas you could focus on. But importantly, I'm not advocating goals that push us beyond our limits. Yes, it's beneficial to challenge ourselves but they must be achievable. This way is much more fun, but equally as effective.
"The reason harsh new year tactics tend not to last is because
they come from a place of lack, not a place of love."
Dr Rangan Chatterjee
Is this something you feel inspired to do? I'd love to hear.
Thanks for reading.
N x