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Even if we refuse to make New Year’s resolutions, most of us feel this is a time for rebirth, renewal and growth. It’s a potent time to reflect back on the year and learn what worked and what didn’t so that we can do things differently moving forward (and properly acknowledge our achievements!).
As a life coach and therapist, I often hear my female clients share their experiences of ‘not feeling good enough’. Whether it be in their work, their different roles in life or reaching their goals. I think we’re experiencing an epidemic of low self-esteem. Why? Because we’re playing the comparison game.
As I was starting to plan my 50th birthday party, I reflected on the different ways I had celebrated important birthdays in the past. It brought tears to my eyes (and not of joy). I didn’t have many happy memories. I decided this birthday would be different.
Many of us suffer from ‘superhuman syndrome’ and the ‘I can do it all on my own’ mentality, and we forget the importance of sharing experiences with others.
For a couple of weeks, I will be a ‘digital nomad’. I’m not 20- or 30-something anymore. I’m a wife and a mother and I have a lot of commitments – and still, I brought my work and family with me to an island in Thailand.
At the end of the year there is a pressure to set New Year’s resolutions to ensure that next year will be the best year yet. We want to exercise more, lose weight, get organised, learn a new hobby and live life to the fullest. I like to end the year differently.
When we don’t express our emotions we become stressed. We bottle up strong feelings and avoid confronting people. To reduce stress, we need to express our emotions and set boundaries.
I was strolling down Kastanienallee, one of the trendy shopping streets in the former East Berlin, with my bestie visiting from Sweden.
How is the beginning of the year unfolding for you? Do you have new energy or are you already tired from trying to make this year different?
Feeling calm and present, I pour raspberry tea into my favorite cup. I have just devoted a couple of hours to my annual ritual – bringing my year to a close and celebrating the extraordinary things I’ve learned.