Momentum & Motivation
Friendly Reminder: YOU GOT THIS!
Is anyone else having a sluggish start to 2023?!!?! Ooof, me too!
If like me you are feeling the pressure to have your New Year look wildly different than it actually does, this post is for you!
Maybe it’s just me, but every year I feel like the New Year should take off with an upward trajectory the moment it starts. But that’s sooo unrealistic! Why I feel the need to put impractical expectations on myself that only lead to me “shoulding” myself to death is beyond me… yet I continue to do it every year!
Here is how, this year, I am trying to take control of these feelings and reroute my thoughts:
I have been reminding myself that after the holidays come to an end and the New Year commences it can take some time to create the motivation and momentum to get back in the swing of things. AND THAT’S OKAY!
I am working on being mindful of allowing myself grace as I gather my motivation to regain that momentum. I tell myself all it takes is small micro-steps every day to make big changes. So, the year doesn’t have to immediately fly into productivity mode to yield the results and reach the goals I set for the New Year. Again, just breathe [I tell myself], it’s small micro-steps that will get me there. Instead of beating myself up for what I’m not doing, I focus my attention on being intentional with the choices I am making and where I’m investing my energy.
Here is the Pro Tip that is really helping me ditch this “should mindset”:
Be mindful of your time spent on social media. 🤯
I did not realize how large of an impact social media can have on your mind until I took an objective look at how I felt after falling into a black hole of aimless scrolling. Of course, I felt an initial dopamine hit as I watched the adorable dog videos, laughed at the spoof reels, and listened to trending audio sounds, but as soon as that wore off, I felt a strange sense of emptiness and unexplainable discontentment with my life. I realized how easy it is, whether conscious or not, to fall into the trap of comparing your real life to the unrealistic lives featured on the glamorized posts and reels that flood your page. Everyone makes it look so effortless and easy to “live your best life” but, hello, THAT IS THEIR GOAL!
Remember, that is just a highlight reel!
So, what have we learned from all of this?
Allow yourself grace if things aren’t looking the way you expected so far this year.
Let go of your expectations of how the New Year should start.
Small micro-steps will get you to your big goals.
Social media can be fun but be mindful of the effect it has on you.
There is no right or wrong way to start the year! Just have fun!
I hope this helps someone else out there that is beating themselves up for feeling “less than” as we near the end of January. Trust me, you’re doing amazing.