New Year, Same You - and that's OK: The Magic of Small Shifts

TLDR: You’re not broken—and you never were. Here’s how to start 2025 feeling whole.

Hey there,

Here’s the thing: The whole “New Year, New Me” mantra? It’s nonsense. You don’t need fixing ... because you’re not broken.

Today is not only my birthday - thank you very much - but it is also only a couple of days before the New Year and time to welcome in 2025.

For decades, we’ve been sold the idea that January 1st is the magical moment to overhaul our lives. But let’s be honest—has anyone ever truly become a completely different person because of a New Year’s resolution?

What if the pressure to reinvent ourselves is actually part of what keeps us stuck? Today, I’m here to share a different perspective—one rooted in self-compassion, small shifts, and gentle momentum.

Here’s what we’ll explore today:

• Why you’re already whole and don’t need to be “fixed”
• How small, intentional changes can create massive impact
• Simple self-care rituals to keep you grounded and empowered

Let’s dive in.

3 Small Shifts to Start Your Year Feeling Whole

1. Rethink the “New Year, New Me” Myth

Instead of focusing on what you need to change about yourself, start by recognizing what’s already working.

You are whole, capable, and enough.

The habits or patterns that might frustrate you—like always putting yourself last—don’t define you. They’re just behaviours that haven't been effective... and we can change behaviours.

What if the real goal for 2025 isn’t to reinvent yourself but to return to yourself? Small moments of self-acceptance can be transformative.

Begin with this: Write a permission slip that gives you the okay to take time for yourself. Pin it somewhere visible and revisit it often.

2. Trade Resolutions for Rituals

Grand resolutions often set us up for failure, but rituals—simple, intentional practices—have the power to create real change. Why? Because they can fit seamlessly into your life, building consistency without overwhelming you.

Here are a few rituals to try:

• Gratitude Post-It Notes: Every night, jot down three things you’re grateful for and stick them on your bedside lamp. When you wake up, let that be the first thing you see.
• Tech-Free Mornings: Swap your phone alarm for an old-school alarm clock to avoid morning doom scrolling.
• Sky-Gazing Moments: Step outside, find a patch of sky, and just look at it. Breathe in the expansiveness of it all. Let your thoughts drift. Let yourself feel the expansiveness of the world beyond your to-do list.

Each of these takes just a few minutes, but the ripple effects can be profound.

3. Choose Ease Over Struggle

So much of life feels like a struggle because we’ve been taught that ease is lazy, that if life isn't a struggle, we are not doing it right.

But what if ease is the most productive choice you can make?

Acceptance doesn’t mean you’re settling; it means you’re choosing to stop fighting what is and start working with it.

One way to embrace ease is to find moments of joy, even in the simplest things. Dance round the kitchen in your pjs to your favorite cheesy song. Watch a feel-good holiday movie. Call someone you love just to say hi. These aren’t frivolous distractions—they’re reminders that life doesn’t always have to be so heavy.

Journaling Prompts for Gentle Reflection

Journaling is one of the most powerful tools for clarity and self-awareness. Here are three prompts to guide you. Grab a cuppa, take a seat, and give yourself the gift of a half hour of journaling.

• What is one small thing you can do today to prioritise your happiness?
• How would it feel to approach the new year with acceptance rather than urgency?
• What’s one area of your life where you can choose to make things easy?

Take your time with these. They’re an invitation to explore, not a to-do list.

That’s it for today. Here’s what we covered:

• You’re already whole, and you don’t need fixing.
• Small shifts—like practicing gratitude or embracing ease—can lead to big changes.
• Rituals can be a more sustainable way to create momentum than resolutions.

Action Step: Pick one ritual either from the list above, or from your back pocket (where you keep all the "I'd really love to do this again" things) and try it out this week. Then, let me know how it feels.

PS...If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider forwarding it to a friend who might need a gentle reminder that they’re already whole.

And whenever you’re ready, here’s a way I can help you:

The “Me First Hour” Coaching Session

Feeling stuck in an area of your life after years of putting others first? In just one powerful hour, we’ll shine a light on what’s holding you back and create a clear, actionable path forward. This is your chance to refocus, re-energize, and reclaim your momentum—without over-committing. Your next steps are closer than you think.