No more
‘New Year New Me'

Author : Aisling Gough

“New Year New Me”. A phrase we hear every January. Alongside a mountain of overly-saturated noise brought about by the fitness industry and diet culture. Be more this. Change that. Stop eating those. Only eat this. The past year has been hard – we have had to change ourselves multiple times, reset our thought process, pick ourselves up again and again, and find strength in ourselves when the world felt weak.

So this January, instead of trying to change yourself, why not just mind yourself. Be your own friend, remind yourself of your self-worth, your strength and your capabilities. Because 2021 is about telling yourself that you are enough. Forget about the fad diets, forget about the 30 day
challenges, forget about the ‘new you’. It’s time to just accept the you that you are now.

There’s no denying that the first week of 2021 has been hard. We shouldn’t sugar coat. Those feelings of uncertainty, restlessness, panic or nervousness are completely normal. But how can we help ourselves to feel a bit better?
Routine is key to avoiding or dealing with feelings of anxiety. Setting yourself up for the day will assist in eliminating stress and finding a sense of control over your day, and essentially, your life. Not only does a routine promote creativity and productivity, but it also allows you to make time for things that you actually enjoy.

Create a morning routine first. And yes, I am aware that getting up earlier is a BIG ask and may seem impossible, but it is literally one of the best things you can do for yourself. And remember that the time that your adding to your day, is your own time – it’s for no one else. Try the below routine for the next while and tell me how you get on.

– Make your bed, wash your face and get changed
– Drink a glass of water with lemon (always hydrate before you caffeinate!)
– Take 5 or 10 minutes to meditate
– Move your body. 5 minutes of stretching, a short walk, or a class. Whatever works for you that morning is fine as long as you move
– Eat a nourishing breakfast and write your to-do list for the day

Good Luck !