Hello hello hello. Happy New Year! Shout out to those who think 3 years ago was 2017 and not 2020, because that is certainly where my head is at right now. 

New years can sometimes not be so exciting if you're a bit confused about life; suddenly there is a whole year ahead of you and everything looks a bit uncertain. And for the anxious person that can't think too far into the future and likes to break things into small sections whilst everyone around you is posting what their goals are for the next year when it's hard for you to think about the next week. If that's you, that's also me and this post may be a bit of help. 

I used to LOVE making resolutions and think about New Year as a time to reinvent myself and list the most unrealistic goals which would result in self sabotage when I hadn't started them by January 3rd. I wasn't going to be reading a book a week that's for sure. 

I still love a goal, love a list and love pushing myself and while January is a good time for a fresh start, there were other lessons I had to learn too. 

January isn't the only time to start again, to do something you've always wanted to do or write a list of goals. You can have a fresh start in February, June or even the 15th December, in fact every day is a chance to start over again if you need. January 1st is just a day in the calendar and sometimes that is enough to think about, another day to survive and get through is just a significant goal in itself. 

If it gets to the 3rd January and nothing has been ticked yet, it is definitely not the end of the world. And if I'm being completely honest, this is something I'm learning to deal with now. There is such a thing as starting again and not feeling like you've failed. These goals have been set by yourself, not a member of authority, and when the negative voice in your brain starts... would you speak to your best friend like that? 

So with my previous unhealthy relationship with resolutions, I decided that going into 2023, I wasn't going to make any and treat the new year or January as any other ordinary month. 

But this didn't help my overactive, anxious brain; I needed some clarity on what the year might hold. I naturally had goals floating around in my head because of the type of person I am and influenced by the media being about the New Year and starting 'afresh'. 

I still didn't want to make any resolutions but I had to do something about it, and a brain dump is always the answer when my mind is feeling busy. 

I got a blank piece of paper and let my mind transfer. It mostly included things I wanted to continue doing this year, one thing I wanted to learn/improve and affirmations to focus on. There are always things you're going to strive to do New Years or not; to improve your career, better your mind, do more of things and less of others. Everything I noted was achievable as it was something I already do or is easy to integrate into my life and there is no time limit to these things, I have a whole year. 

I am now opposed to big and out of reach resolutions that aren't good for my self esteem but what I am a fan of, is individual tiny goals that will eventually lead to big goals being achieved without focusing directly on them. 

For some people, January is a huge month to kick start the year but it's completely okay and more up my street to ease myself into the new year with a slow month as it can be a difficult period of the year. It can be a time to focus on well-being, getting outside, reading or watching that new TV series (Emily in Paris and Waterloo Road, polar opposties but both great) when you feel like it to relax your mind, practicing breath work and gratitude and prioritising YOU. 

If there was one intention I would pick for myself and us all for the new year ahead and more, would be to be more kind to ourselves. 

Bethan xx

1. Be self-aware of your own needs. 

2. Rest needs to be a vital part of your week to recharge and don't feel guilty for it. 

3. But too much time alone is not good for you, find a balance. 

4. If you weren't ready, you wouldn't have the opportunity. 

5. Being productive and 'busy' all the time isn't cool. 

6. You are not going crazy, it's probably just anxiety. 

7. It's not attention seeking to give yourself credit or say you are proud of yourself. 

8. You have the power to do what's best for you. 

9. Remember to focus on how you actually feel, rather than how you should feel. 

10. Maybe the situation isn't as negative as you always think if you survive every time. 

11. Accept you're not going to feel happy all of the time, it's important to feel every emotion. 

12. Have an open mind, change is possible. 

13. Get off your phone and stop scrolling, you know you feel better for it. 

14. Spend time outside and ground yourself. 

15. Don't fight the anxiety, the uncomfortable parts are where you grow. 

16. Enjoy the little moments in life, those are the ones you remember. 

17. Don't wait for permission to do something; if it feels right, go for it. 

18. Validating yourself is a hard but achievable process. 

19. Ride with the creativity, it gives you a buzz that nothing else will. 

Bethan xx

Journaling sounds like a great idea until you actually sit down to start. What do I write? Do I need fancy gel pens? (short answer: yes) Is this even going to do anything?

This has been me many times when I've wanted to start journaling but failed because I don't make time for it. I went through a period of writing gratitudes throughout the summer and when I fell off the bandwagon, it made me realise how much of a positive effect it had on me. 

I personally am quite a negative person, where one thing goes wrong and my mood can instantly change but taking time out of my morning to write out a few things I was grateful for, helps to set a much better tone for my day. 

For my birthday, my sister bought me a 'wellness journal' and firstly, the cover is beautiful (see photo below) but it is laid out so well and has everything you need on a double page spread. I have used it every day since and I'm starting to see the positive difference writing daily gratitudes had on me again. 

If this has any interest in you, here are some ways you could section your pages to create one yourself. 

• 'Today's mood'

Obviously, this isn't how you have to do it but if you're a bit clueless then these are simple sections to start with. 

How to make it a priority, rather than a habit that lasts a few days

• Set a daily reminder on your phone
• Take your journal on a solo walk
• Journal before bed and write what you've achieved in that day rather than what you plan to do
• Journal as soon as you wake up instead of going on your phone and scrolling social media
• Let go of any judgement (journalling IS cool)
• Get as creative as possible, the more appealing it is to you, the more you're going to do it