Author: Olly Halton
As Big Ben signalled midnight, many, no doubt, found themselves wondering: should a new year mean a new me?
Picture the scene. You’re at your friend’s house, having dinner and drinks. The countdown begins and you join sixty million voices counting ten to zero. The fireworks light up London in flashes of red, white, and blue, whilst you hold hands and clink together champagne flutes.
And then they ask, what are your new year resolutions? If the thought drives a wave of anxiety that makes your hands wobble and your head hurt, you’re far from alone. People make all manner of promises the second the calendars turn back to page one: writing a novel, travelling the world, going to the gym every day, losing weight…
I, myself, had a new venture last January. Having spent the first few years of my post-university career dotting about, jumping between retail positions or hospitality venues, I yearned for more. Then, in late 2022, I received a phone call head-hunting me for a copy writing role. In the space of a year, I fought for my job in a redundancy period, learnt new skills and handled new responsibilities. And I’m thankful. I love it there; it doesn’t stress me. In over a year, I’ve not had a bad day.
We are all on our own journeys and for some, the pressure of a new year can be overwhelming. The perceived expectation to make resolutions, and the uncertainty of what the year might bring, can be crippling. But it is important to remember that if you don’t want to change anything, or can’t even think about doing so, then don’t feel like you must force yourself into a cocoon in an effort to emerge as a different coloured butterfly.
January just isn’t the right time for everyone. For some, this period brings more stress than joy. After all, the first month is infamous for cold weather, darker mornings and nights and the knock-on effects of a no-doubt expensive festive period. The cost of living, energy prices and war looming overseas are major factors in making people wonder if the new year ahead will give them the chance to grow. There are also those who aren’t sure if their aspirations are attainable just yet: maybe they want a career change but are worried about a loss of income, or want to move to a new place, even though the thought fills them with dread.
Whatever you’re feeling after the Christmas tree has come down, whether that be excitement or anxiety, you can always meet with the Lighthouse Psychotherapy Practice today for a free telephone consultation. Discover how they could help you overcome the wintry blues.
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