New Year, New You?

For the first month of 2023, we shall see folk in their brand-new sports apparel, an abundance of vegan food in the supermarkets, adverts for diet clubs and the like.?Something about that brand-new page on the calendar fills us with hope and plans to become a better version of ourselves.?

Think about that phrase.?A better version of ourselves…?What is wrong with the existing version of ourselves??Probably nothing at all.?Okay, we may like to feel fitter, want to eat more healthily, and even want to look a bit trimmer.?But I reckon that the starting point of not liking ourselves enough is questionable.?The best version of ourselves is the one that is there come hail, rain or shine.?For me, it is the one that may be a bit battered, bruised and lumpy but has served me for many decades, and despite challenges, is still as sturdy as a rock.

Being good enough has been a recurring meme during 2022 and it should be for 2023 too.?Learning to like ourselves, nay, love ourselves, just as we are is the best starting point we can have.?If we can love ourselves just as we are, imagine how proud and fulfilled we might be if we make a few tweaks! Tweaks that don’t necessarily involve denying ourselves the things that bring us joy or adopting a masochistic approach to fitness.

I gave up new year's resolutions the day I caught on that all I would do was punish myself in December for not having achieved the better version of myself over the past twelve months!?Now, I feel more content to focus on different areas of myself.?The ones that aren’t as visible to the outside world are important to me.?I want to do the work that makes me happy.?I want to make time to learn how to relax a little more.?Read a little more. Be able to take my whole self to my work every day rather than the version that someone else wanted.?I want to spend time with people I like to spend time with rather than trying to squeeze them into my diary for a fortnight on Tuesday, but next month. I’m going to try to get out for a walk more often – not a power walk – a gentle walk across the fields or down the canal bank.?

The challenge is, of course, fitting this around our daily work and living.?Is it doable??Damn, right it is! Compromise on some things.?Prioritise the things that bring pleasure.?It isn’t selfish to take care of your own needs.?If your needs are met, how can you not give that whole best version of yourself to others?

I am urging you dear reader to stop setting yourself huge challenges that cause disappointment and instead, look at how wonderful you are, exactly as you are!

Happy 2023 to your version of you!