New Years steps..

It's a New Year, a chance to start a new chapter. But do our lives really change so much and do we really wipe the slate clean as the clock ticks midnight on December 31st?

The answer is no of course not. There isn't any magic that takes place that suddenly allows us to say "oh it's ok, that was last year" at 12.10am.

However, it's a common theme that people (myself included here) suddenly take a look at their lives on December 2nd /3rd and vow to make some changes. I think it's a chance to look back at the previous 12 months and to really be honest with ourselves about anything that we could or should have done differently.

I know that I am the WORST at making New Years resolutions and not sticking to them. I am currently day three of dry January and it's proving pretty hard. So this year I am not going to put unrealistic expectations on myself. If I really need that glass of wine on Saturday night, I will do. But all in moderation

With a big emphasis on mental health this year, I think it's a good idea for us to put a little less pressure on ourselves. Pressure to be the best parent, to have the best behaved kids, to be the biggest biller, to drive the nicest car, to be the last one to leave the office etc.

So instead, I am going to call them New Years steps as opposed to resolutions. And I am not going to beat myself up if I slip once or twice.

I genuinely hope that this year is a really good one. As my son pointed out, it's the last time we'll be able to say that we are living in the 20 teens. So let's make it a good one!