New Year, Same You

As the new year rolls in, we are met with the annual feeling of hope and renewal for the next chapter. Though we here at AHS love a refresh button, January can sometimes feel fraught with the pressure of reinvention. As soon as the clock strikes 12:01 am we are inundated with all the things we are told we need to do in order to be our best selves in the new year, leaving us with the feeling that where we are now is less than, compared to where we should be. With this in mind, it is an annual tradition to remind ourselves of a few key truths as we turn the calendar’s page.

You don’t have to go to the gym 

Yes, you read that right, and you can read it again to help it sink in. The most common thing we hear every year, and we bet you know this obligation well, is thinking we have to go to the gym more often to get to the aesthetic goal that is set by multi-billion dollar corporations as “beauty”. But what if we told you that you don’t have to change your body if you don’t want to? There is a big difference between looking like the latest beauty standard and taking care of your health. You don’t have to go to the gym in January, but if you want to for your wellness, then more power to you! Go because it’s what you want, not what someone else is telling you you want.

You can have the same goals you did last year

With the spark of reinvention well underway we receive many messages that we need to make new, even more, lofty goals than we did last year. Though it can be wonderful to challenge ourselves to grow, we try to remember that if we didn’t finish a goal last year, that’s fine! We can move that due date to this year, no harm done. Life is flexible, so the objectives you set for yourself should be too.

You can be focused on balance, not hustling

Hustle culture has taken over as our new norm. We are always told that we should have all our notifications turned on, be as responsive as possible, and never take rest because that means we’re not working hard enough. We are calling nonsense on this terrible trend, and you have to remember that you can’t do anything if your battery is depleted. Your self-care and what you put into your life is just as valuable as your output, so take a moment and recharge when you need to, whenever you need to.

You can procrastinate if you need time

Procrastination has a bad reputation for being synonymous with laziness, but the definition of the word is actually: ‘the action of delaying or postponing something.’ There is so much power in the space between receiving something and reacting to it. By taking a pause before moving forward with a decision or action you are giving yourself the ability to choose how you react instead of relying on impulse and hoping for the best. No matter how long you need to ensure you’re making an informed and right decision is time well spent.

You are perfect, just as you are 

Imagine if we just forgave ourselves for our shortcomings and spent no more energy dwelling on the ‘what ifs’ or ‘why didn’t I’s’ of our lives so we could move forward with more intention and mindfulness. A lovely thought to be sure, though perhaps a little unrealistic, but even a small act of forgiveness to yourself goes a long way. You can just be, and by simply being, you are enough.

Want more self-care tips and ideas? Check out our Self-care section and our Instagram to stay in the know.