As we start the new year you might find yourself feeling a little ‘off’ and unsure as to why. Many of us use this time as a checkpoint, to show that we have made it through the year but also fully aware that everything has changed and drastically so in 2021 because of COVID-19. Not only this but in 2020, many people described it as a draining and long year and 2021 as one that felt so short that it’s hard to remember what even happened. You’ve probably felt this yourself; we know we have. As a result of this checkpoint so much pressure is forced onto us by ourselves and others as well.

It is okay to feel this way, it has been an incredibly hard year. You have faced new challenges, ones you could never even imagine and maybe even some loses. However, it’s important to note that despite any difficulties you faced in 2021, you have still made huge amounts of progress.

A few reasons why you may be feeling this way could be because of the following:

• Your goals
• Your weight after this period
• Getting back into a routine

Goals: When we look back at our goals, we set for ourselves during the year we can become disappointed by what we didn’t accomplish, often forgetting that completing just a small number of goals is still something to be proud of. The best way to overcome this feeling is by setting new goals and numbering them from most to least important. This way you can gradually work through them during the year. It could also put them in categories of which ones you’ll find the most challenging or ones that will take the most time to complete.

Weight: Following on from Christmas we can go into January with low self-esteem especially when it comes to the way we see our bodies. Christmas is known as a time where people come together around a meal. It’s important to remind yourself that it’s okay to gain weight after Christmas time. If it is something that you’d like to control, then setting in both a healthy eating diet and exercise routine is something that could be beneficial for you this January.

Getting back into a routine: Many of us have some time off around the Christmas and new year period so when you must get back into your daily routine It can become difficult. It can be overwhelming and tiring which is why we suggest introducing each step back gradually, January is also a perfect time to start setting new steps in your routine and by the end of this year you’ll get to see how far you have come.

As said above it’s important to reflect on the year to see what you have accomplished and what you’d like to try better at for this one. You could start by writing down a list of things you thought went well and then what you thought you could improve on. Maybe there’s some things in there that you could add into your routine? Or have as your goals for this year.

When it comes to goals and getting out of the new year blues, it can take time, and everyone goes at their own speed.

Don’t forget to celebrate that you made it to 2022!