“New Year, More You”
The transition from 2024 to 2025 is upon us. This is the time of year when everyone starts pushing the "New Year, New You" promotions, whether it's a fitness program, coaching program, goal setting, manifesting, meditating, or even reorganizing your sock drawer. It's the time we start brainstorming our New Year's resolutions. I’ve also had my own musings. However, I suggest two minor yet impactful adjustments to these concepts.
The first is with the word resolutions. Resolutions are helpful and good to set. However, I prefer to use the word "intentions" instead. "Resolution" feels finite and restrictive as a word. If you don't hit your goal, you fail. If you don't do it exactly as you set out to, you fail. However, using the word intention has more flexibility, allowing you to adjust as needed (aka, adjust to make a goal or intention more realistic), shorten or extend, or even start over. For instance, instead of setting a resolution to lose 10 pounds, you could set an intention to prioritize your health and well-being by making healthier food choices and exercising regularly. This shift in mindset can significantly affect how you approach your goals and how you feel about yourself. We also don't need to wait for the New Year to do so. We can set resolutions or intentions at any point throughout the year. Heck, set them every day as the best practice. But I digress here.
I would make the second tweak to the "New Year, New You" phrase. This phrase suggests something is wrong with you that needs fixing. There is nothing wrong with you. You don't need fixing. Even if you feel stuck in a rut, insecure about going after that dream of yours, or finding a lack of motivation to do something, there is nothing wrong with you. I want to suggest "New Year, More You!" Step into the new year by going after what makes you feel whole, more empowered, or more laughter. Embrace more joy in your life. Do things that make you feel more grounded, emotionally regulated, and confident. Take up more space and use your voice to declare what you want out of this next year. Practice learning to love all of you, even those things you don't necessarily like about yourself or try to hide. Instead, notice how unique and special you are and work to embrace all your qualities. This also means getting in touch with what gets in your way and reconnecting with your inner motivation to move it out of the way. For example, if you procrastinate, try investigating the emotions you experience each time you look to do whatever it is that you are procrastinating. It might not be a lack of motivation but something entirely different. You can then work with that new information and make a more impactful shift.
Another example is when you want to start a new project or endeavor but can't seem to carve out the time with everything else on your plate. Instead of beating yourself up over a lack of time management for your project, try looking deeper into all the other items on your plate. Are they for you or for other people? Instead of a time management problem, the root issue could be an overexpressed need to please or help others. You may need some strategies to help put yourself and your needs into more of a balance. So, with that said, "New Year, More You" could be learning from the lessons of last year and using them to live a more balanced and enjoyable year this year while still working on living in the world as the best version of yourself you can be.
Here's a personal example of what I will be working on. This year, I want to embrace my New Year's Intention of "New Year, More of ME!" I want to move into 2025 with courage and rebellion. I want to face my fears and hesitations. Now that our apparel company has closed, I have more space and energy. I will use that space and energy to build up my coaching practice. However, it's not even the new year yet, and I am already noticing how I procrastinate on specific tasks. When I pause long enough in these procrastination moments and am honest with myself, I can see how I am sitting with fear, imposter syndrome, and insecurity.
Building a coaching practice as a solo entrepreneur is scary. When I worked for my previous company or partnered with my husband in our apparel company, it wasn't just me. In this case, it is just me, and my product is…well, me. It's a bit vulnerable and raw. I could fake it until I make it and put on a mask that helps me pretend I know what I am doing. I could do things like some coaching podcasts or influencers tell us to do to be successful and make the most money. However, I am working on being authentic with myself and building a coaching practice based on helping others rather than just how much I am making. I don't want clickbait or sales funnels. I want to do things my way, from my heart. To do that, I need to face these emotions. I can be scared and do it anyway. That is my courage and rebellion! That is me being more of ME! Sure, I will set goals that are within my intention. I will use SMART (specific, measurable, achievable/realistic, relevant, and time-bound). I will adjust as needed, re-evaluate, and pivot as I learn more. And I will seek counsel and support along the way. But I will listen to my heart and gut on the best next step for me each step as I go.
What do you think about these musings?
I would love to hear about your New Year Intentions for this upcoming year. Please share them in the comments below, and let's inspire each other to embrace more of ourselves in 2025.
What do you think about the "New Year, More You" phrase, and how can you bring out more of you in 2025? What would that look like? What possibilities could that lead to if you brought out more of yourself? I encourage you to take some time to reflect on these questions and share your thoughts with the community. Let's start this new year by committing to embracing more of ourselves and living our best lives.
