Returning to work in the new year and goal setting!

2023 is well underway with January starting to come to an end. Many see January as a fresh start, the month to change everything in your life, to plan out your perfect life.?On the other hand, for many people January can be a difficult month, deeply affected by the January Blues.

So, let’s talk it through together!

?

Let’s start with New Year Resolutions

We have all made some resolutions at some point – let’s be honest. Some people achieve all these resolutions, however, for most of us we are unrealistic with them and give up before February even starts.

So, are New Year Resolutions a healthy or harmful way to start the year?

The concept of New Year Resolutions is a healthy one – you start the year with a clear list of achievements that you want to make in the next 12 months, giving you something to focus on and work towards. However, this is when the big BUT comes in … but the huge pressures to completely change and turn round your life by losing weight or earning lots of money is so damaging and harmful to our self esteem and general wellbeing. The stress and burnout can lead us to falling behind (not going to the gym all week, losing your Duolingo streak) consequently leading to failure as we just give up.

Who wants to start the year feeling like a failure? – Nobody!

?

So, let’s switch the narrative – let’s go into the new year positively. We will reward ourselves for our achievements, both big and small.

Our team have been looking at new ways of setting their goals for the year and making the process more enjoyable, from vision boards to ‘stuff to do boxes’ – a selection of their favourite things labelled with a goal and once the goal is complete they can indulge. Whether that be your favourite drink, food, or experience. We don’t have to achieve a million things to have a successful year – maybe 8 celebrated wins is all you need to self-improve.

?

Easing back into work …

It's January. It's dark, wet, cold, windy, and summer feels ages away. But it doesn't have to be doom and gloom. Here we have some tips and tricks to help ease you back into work during the January Blues.

?

Eat well and get organised

This is something that a lot of us try to avoid, especially when we are down in the dumps and generally struggling. Although it’s not what you want to hear, getting organised, cleaning, and clearing your space can have a dramatic affect on your wellbeing and your readiness for the day. When going back to work, making time to plan your day and write it down can help make the working day less overwhelming and more efficient.

Try a daily planner or to do list notebook.

You probably already know all the benefits of eating a healthy balanced diet so we won’t go into that but pre-planning healthy and tasty lunches and snacks for your working day can be so helpful. It will give you something to look forward to and should help to improve any fatigue.

Make time for yourself

This can be a difficult one for many of us, but just simply being kind to yourself. Listening to your body, taking breaks, going for a walk at lunch. Whatever it might be, making sure that you are looking after yourself and not letting your workload consume you – that’s no good for anyone.

?

Spend some quality time with your inbox

We can all relate to this, leaving your email inbox to just build up and build up and before you know it, you have no idea where to start to clear and organise it. Having an organised inbox can save us so much time and stress in the long term. So, let’s schedule in the time to tackle this problem because it’s going to feel so much better once it is done.

Prioritise and set goals

We can only do what we can do – we’re not superhumans, however much we’d love to be. We have a limited amount of time so let’s make the most of it – choose a handful of things you want to achieve each day. This is what you will prioritise and focus on.

Getting over the January Blues

One of the main causes of January Blues is simply the pressure!

Take away the expectations, the pressure, the ‘what should be’. Instead give yourself a break! You weren’t as organised as you wanted to be last year – that’s okay – you did your very best and that’s enough. You aren’t the weight you wanted to be – that’s okay – you have so many special memories sharing food with your loved ones. You are not higher up the career ladder – that’s okay – there is time for you to change your situation.?