Lets Talk.. The Concept of ‘New Year, New You’

This phrase “New Year, New You” has been advertised for years, for as long as I can remember anyway. Its evolved of course into different meanings, whether that be joining a gym, cutting alcohol, giving up carbs or eliminating certain food groups. It’s primary focus always being weight loss.

How many new year’s resolutions have you made and then given up within a month? Perhaps you commit to a gym membership, slimming club or an online app. In the beginning, energy and enthusiasm is there, then suddenly out of the blue something in life distracts you, your mindset shifts and you stop!

Then comes guilt, shame and you are back to square one. I used to work in a gym and I’ve witnessed first-hand all the January gym goers start, stop, cancel their membership and repeat this behaviour every year, which baffled me. I used to think, ‘what’s changed’?

Why do people make the effort at the same time every year, only to repeat the pattern and quit?

Did you know that these short-term new year goals have a 90% failure rate, 90%, that’s huge.

Perhaps people over indulge at Christmas, stop moving their body, sit down for longer than normal and subsequently end up feeling down in the dumps.

January comes and hello to the same ‘New year, New you’ Ads. The weather makes you want to hibernate, you push yourself with unrealistic targets in a short space of time and get frustrated when nothing has changed. You then beat yourself up and head into a negative head spin.

Sound familiar?

This used to be me! Every single year, the excitement, the routine, the give up, the guilt.

Now call me crazy, but how would it appear if we looked inward instead? If perhaps we worked on our mindset, our thought processes and how we really want to feel on the inside? How would it look if we adjusted our mindset into a healthier more positive one?

The mind is the most powerful organ in your body and if it isn’t healthy, you will struggle in all aspects of life.

Definitions of an unhealthy mind is, always thinking in a negative way, self-loathing, saying I have no time for me, talking down to yourself, calling yourself stupid, people pleasing, unhealthy boundaries and so on. I could go on but I think you get the jist.

Our minds are so powerful that even if you jokingly say ‘I am stupid’ or ‘I’m so clumsy’ the subconscious mind doesn’t know this is a joke and absorbs this as the reality. The more you talk to yourself like that, the more you will start to believe it.

So how do we get a healthy mind?

Reading is a great way to start, I read a lot of positivity blogs, I read self-help books and listen to a ton of uplifting podcasts. Give some a try and figure out what resonates with you and what you enjoy.

A big game changer is teaching yourself the turnaround method. It’s a mind improvement tool and incredibly powerful once mastered.

When a negative thought comes into your mind, you stop, honour the thought, and turn it into a positive.

Here’s an example of the method below:

You wake up in the morning and think…

‘I don’t want to go to work, today is going to be a rubbish day’

Now turn it around….

‘I’m grateful I have a job that pays me, today is going to be a good day’

The more you do this the more power you have over your thought processes; this is when you begin to realise how amazing your mind is and how you can control what happens.

Journaling is another great practise, I write down how I’m feeling, things that have happened, something I need to do, situations that are bothering me etc. Get it all out on paper and out of your mind. Writing is so freeing and I would encourage you to try it.

Perhaps treat yourself to a new note book? It doesn’t have to be neat or tidy, just put pen to paper; your words, thoughts, feelings, your writing space.

Another one is meditation, this has had the greatest impact on me and my life. It’s incredible, it is free and you can do it anywhere, any time.

People say to me all the time I can’t meditate – my mind rushes around, it’s hard to sit still, but trust me when I say - the more often you do it the easier it becomes.

Teach yourself – learning is a wonderful gift. Start slowly, 3, 5, 10 minutes a day and so on. You train your mind to be calm, to be still and at peace.

Once you master this, your mind is in a state of utopia, an incredible feeling of freedom and quiet. This can take time so be patient with yourself and enjoy the journey.

So now you’ve begun working on your mind health, which is a continuous practise, the rest will follow.

You will want to start moving your body for energy, to eat nutritious food to feel good and then you will begin to notice how much happier you are day to day. Whatever life throws at you , you will have a calmer, positive approach to your daily life.

Take time to hibernate especially this at time of year – it’s natural to want this. Set yourself healthy boundaries focused on looking after yourself without feeling guilty. Always remember it’s ok to say ‘No’.

When we are looking after our minds and bodies all year round, not setting ourselves unrealistic targets when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, an incredible shift happens within. We are living our best lives everyday incorporating healthy routines with no clock in sight.

I mean wow, what a concept?!? Looking after ourselves all year round and truly connecting with yourself to be the best version of you.

So here are a few fun things I love doing at the beginning of every new year (at some point, no specific time frame).

My family and I write down things we would love to do or achieve that year. These can be goals, aspirations, places to go, something to learn etc. We fill a jar with all these different things, then around the same time the following year we get to read through them. Some we may not have achieved or completed, but if they are still relevant, we pop them back in the jar till the next year, the ones we did achieve or complete we remove. We then repeat this cycle every year, fill up our jar with new aspirations and goals, it is such a fun family project – give it a go.

I also love a manifestation/vision board. Places I would like to travel, courses I would like to complete, business goals etc. and I do this all through pictures. This is personal to me and goes up on my wall to look at daily. I update it throughout the year, removing pictures as and when I complete/achieve them. I also practise this with my 9-year-old son, he asked to do one and has his up in his room, he really enjoys making his board.

Another great practise is to make a list of 12 things you would like to achieve this year, this could be making bread, sorting photos, visiting a specific place etc.

You don’t have to do all these things, these are just some ideas. Pick one that resonates with you and have fun with it.

Start now, begin your journey of a healthier mind and happier you because once you have that, the rest will follow.

Sending you all love, joy, and a ton of positivity for 2023.

XxxX

Written by Nicole Grant - January 22nd 2023.