I have never set new year resolutions or specific personal goals at this time of year.
I do enjoy setting personal challenges. But the new calendar year is not the right time for me. Changes of routines, increased social interactions, additional ‘tasks’ to be completed and the general overwhelm on the senses in the lead up to Christmas can take their toll. You might also be juggling the pressures that can come with the financial year-end in many organisations.
All these things increase cognitive load. We may be having to do more, remember more and navigate situations that we don’t often encounter at work and home. We know that a perceived threat triggers the release of hormones and neurotransmitters. And this can lead to a flight, fight, freeze or fawn response before the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in. Allowing the mind and body to return to a resting state. And we can think and act more clearly again.
So, if you’re feeling a bit frazzled right now, then it’s no surprise really.
Setting (and achieving) goals can be a good thing. But there’s no deadline. Take time to ensure your mind and your environment is right for you before you do.
I may be in the minority on the 6th January. But I’m already starting to feel more relaxed. More positive. Happier. We now have more daylight hours and I have seen my first snowdrops in the wild.
It can be a useful to consider Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This theory of motivation suggests that it is a requirement to satisfy lower needs before the higher needs can be achieved. If you are experiencing irregular sleep, or facing some uncertainty with health or at work then go easy on yourself.
You could work towards making small improvements to your environment before setting more ambitions targets for yourself. Sometimes we need to accept that things are outside of our control, and the time for personal growth and achievement will just have to wait. Don’t feel the need to compare yourself with others and set resolutions and goals just because that’s what everyone else is doing.
If you’d like some help with establishing new routines or healthy-habits, then drop me a message. If you’re feeling a bit stuck and not sure what you want to do, but you do really want to feel like you are making progress and working towards ‘something’, then we could also work that out.
Sometimes, clarity comes when you stop and dedicate time to talk things through with someone. If you’re ready to start, then book in a free informal chat.