Every year, New Year’s Eve rolls around, and people start talking about New Year’s resolutions. Sometimes there can be pressure to make some kind of change and challenge yourself in some way – but this doesn’t have to be the case.
First of all, don’t feel as though you have to make a resolution just because everyone else is. If you feel as though you don’t need a resolution, then don’t make one! People often expect other people to make changes to themselves before the new year starts and this is an unrealistic expectation. The likelihood is that you are doing great the way you are and don’t need to change yourself just because other people are branding the new year as an opportunity for a fresh start.
Second, there is no need to put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Managing your mental health over the festive period is hard enough without adding extra pressure! For some people going home and spending time with family can be exhausting without dealing with the expected change that comes alongside New Years. The end of the year is also exhausting and people are probably experiencing burnout from working hard at uni and trying to meet deadlines before going home – you deserve a rest!
Third, you’re doing the best you can anyway! Being a university student is really difficult anyway, without putting extra pressure on yourself to make a change. You don’t need to push yourself harder than you already do otherwise you might hit breaking point.
Finally, you can decide to make change at any point – it doesn’t need to be at New Years. If you want to work towards making a positive change then you can do this at any point! If you want to start eating more vegetarian meals then add a few more into your meal plan for next week. If you want to go on more walks to benefit your mental health then try to go on one tomorrow! You don’t have to build up to making lots of changes all at once as this can often lead to unnecessary pressure that could be avoided.
Most New Year’s resolutions are hard to keep to anyway as people tend to make them unobtainable and it can be upsetting when they don’t work out. However, if you want to make a change and feel as though starting at New Years is the perfect time then go for it – but don’t put too much pressure on yourself and don’t worry if it doesn’t go to plan as you can keep working towards it slowly. Just make sure that the goal is obtainable and something you are passionate about.
2021 has been hard! Just getting through this year and making it to 2022 is enough, try going easy on yourself and don’t let other people make you feel as though you need to make a change. You are enough just the way you are.
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