You don’t always have to start the year with a bang, and here’s why
For most, if not all of us, the new year marks new beginnings. From making New Year’s resolution lists to vision boards, we all want to put the past behind us and be a better version of ourselves, which can be daunting and exciting at the same time.
If you’re like me, you probably have a lot of things that you want to accomplish this 2024. From sticking to a daily routine to filling up your CV, there’s that pressure to start anew and, ultimately, do grand things. But I understand that it can be quite overwhelming and even frustrating to do so, especially if you’re still recovering from burnout from the past year.
As somebody known as “the bibo kid,” I tend to bite off more than I can chew. 2023 was a fulfilling year, and I’m grateful for the opportunities that came one after the other. But to be honest, I was completely exhausted by the end of the year. It came to a point that all aspects of my life—my academics, work and even relationships with people (to whom I really want to apologize)—were suffering. Not going to lie though, I’m still recovering from this burnout, and I don’t know how long it will take to do so.
And maybe that’s why I decided to take on a different road this year. Instead of pressuring myself to do more and be more, I’m just letting myself be. I’m allowing myself to start 2024 slow, and if you resonate with what I’ve said, maybe it’s a sign that you should, too. After all, you don’t always have to start your year with a bang, and here are some reasons why.
You become realistic
The thing about New Year’s resolutions is that we often set unrealistic expectations for ourselves. We end up disappointed if we break our routine or if we don’t reach our goal by a specific time. When the following year comes, we do the same thing again, telling ourselves we’ll do better; and the cycle of disappointment continues. On my end, I’ve long struggled with weight loss and incorporating workouts into my daily routine, and I really get frustrated if I skip a day of exercise or don’t reach my target weight by a specific month. It’s something I’m currently struggling with and working on, but I’m taking it one day at a time.
I’m not saying that we shouldn’t have goals at all—I still have so many dreams I want to turn into reality this year! But starting the year slow can help us put things into perspective, from breaking down our goals to more achievable steps or just simply giving ourselves the grace to let go if needed.
@jodie.melissa happy new year my loves ❤️ here’s to a slow, soft start where we allow ourselves to be human! #slowliving #slowerliving #mindfulness #2024 ♬ original sound – jodie.melissa
You get used to taking breaks
You might think it’s lazy or counterproductive to just be. Well, I’ve also had that voice in my head telling me, “You don’t deserve to take a break or have fun unless you finish everything that you need to do!” or “What are you going to accomplish by taking things slow?” If you also feel guilty whenever you’re not doing anything, I feel you. We’ve been so wired to be productive because for so long, we measured and associated our worth with our accomplishments.
But it’s true that if you don’t rest, your body will do it for you. After all, you’re not some kind of robot that can work for hours on end—you’re so much more than that. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and trying to give what you don’t have will just tire you out even further. So this time, think of having a slow start as a way of showing up and taking time for yourself. Go sleep, binge-watch that show, take yourself on a coffee date or try a hobby that you’ve been wanting for so long. You deserve to rest and recharge, too!
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You learn to live in the moment
I know it’s tempting to rush through life because everything is so fast-paced. For one, whenever I open social media, I feel overwhelmed by the barrage of content shown to me; you may relate to this feeling, too. Every New Year’s Eve, my feed is full of people’s annual highlights and successes. While I’m happy for their accomplishments, I can’t help asking myself, “Am I not enough?” and “Why do I feel so behind in life?”
But I’ve come to realize that we all have our timelines. I have my own path to pave and my own story to tell. I’ve also come to realize that there’s beauty in going against the flow and living slowly. You get to notice and appreciate the small things in life even more—from celebrating small wins to eating a meal with loved ones. Instead of focusing solely on the destination, going through the year slowly can help you enjoy the journey, too! Personally, more than the triumphant feeling that comes with achieving something, I feel more fulfilled by learnings, experiences and the friendships I’ve gained along the way. While it may be easier said than done, here’s to going through 2024 at our own pace—one day at a time.
@themyraaakn your daily reminder: give yourself some grace and time to BREATHE ….. 2024 literally just got here (digital planner featured by the amazing @BYOSS Designs| Digital Product ) | #christiantiktok #motivation #encouragement #newyear #newyearnewme #newyearreset #slowstart #minivlog #dayinmylife #digitalplanning #productivity ♬ Pray – Soli
You’re setting yourself up for bigger things in the future
But what’s the point of all this? You may remember the story of the turtle and the rabbit that we were told during childhood. Unlike the rabbit who had a strong start yet stopped in between, the turtle trudged slowly but surely to the finish line and won the race. So think of starting the year slow that way. You’re cooling down from the past year and warming up for the great things that are to come in the future!
As cliché as it may sound, everything will fall into place at the right place and time. Opportunities will come your way when you’re ready, and everything you’re doing right now is preparing you for what’s ahead.
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Starting the year slowly may mean different things to different people. For some, it might mean sleeping more while for others, it might mean trying out different activities for leisure. For some, it might mean spending more time alone, while for others, it might mean allotting more time with family and friends. At the end of the day, there’s no single way to start the year slow so it’s important to do what feels right for you.
Have a great slow start to your 2024! I am rooting for you.
Words MJ Viernes
Art Macky Arquilla
