I’m not doing it. No thank you. I’ll pass. I’m not starting my new year in January. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not moving out to the desert to be a hermit or anything, I’ll still change the year on my checks. But this whole idea of a gluttonous December (allll the way til the very end) and then the calendar flips and it’s a whole new you has never worked for me.

For those of us who struggle with perfectionism, I feel like that is the perfect storm to set people up for failure. It still gets dark early and the air is chilly and I’m overstuffed and a little tired from all the celebrating (not that I’d change a minute of it). Now is not the time to declare “I will never eat a carb again”, or “I will exercise 6 days a week”! Because the minute I don’t execute my goals perfectly I’ll think, “well that didn’t work, I’ve already failed and it’s only January 5”.

Then the negative thoughts and telling myself I’ll never succeed will roll in. I don’t want to do that anymore. So I won’t. Here are some things I’ll do instead:

• I’ll start transitioning from cake to fruit (as much as I want)
• I’ll start to look around for things in my house that are no longer needed and put them away to be donated (at some point, when I get to it)
• I’ll start thinking about new ideas for this site and design them so they will hit the floor running when it’s time
• I’ll snuggle up at night with a fire or cozy blanket and read a good book
• When we get a nice day outside I’ll put on my shoes and go for a walk
• I’ll continue the self care processes I have and add more in slowly
• I’ll get lots of rest
• I’ll listen to my body and when it feels ready to come out of the cocoon I will take action
• I’ll find new ways to set myself up to win
  • This year that meant John and I celebrated NYE on the 30th. We wanted to enjoy ourselves with tasty food and some bubbly but we didn’t love how we felt gross every New Year’s Day. So we had our own party the 30th and used the 31st to de-bloat and reflect and think about “things we want to think about more” for 2024
  • On Jan 1st we each felt great and energized to see what was in store for the next 12 months

What will you do? Are you lucky enough to be able to set goals at the new year and stick to them or do you enjoy hibernating a little longer like me? Let us know below in the comments!

And whatever your style – here’s your permission slip to live your new year your way. Enjoy!