The time of the year when your inner critic is flourishing - "Wrapping ups" season is open.

In addition to thoughts and assessments of your year spinning your head, there is an additional block of tension, including posts about accomplishments, results in numbers, and sharing the best moments of the year. That could trigger an array of emotions, and a devastating comparison pressure is one of them.

'Did I achieve what I had planned?'

It is often difficult to find critics who are harsher on us than we are on ourselves. Moreover, as our surroundings could encompass many achievers, it's easy to drown into setting high goals and debriefing them with the high benchmark requirements.

So, when there is the natural call of the heart to practice this at the end of the year, we might encounter disappointment, regrets, and "not enough" moments.?

"Overestimated in a short time - Underestimated in the long term"

Throughout the planning, you're almost always full of expectations and energized to accomplish and mark "done" in front of every point.?

But let's be honest, life is much more than a To-do list and consists of much more events. You can't predict, schedule, and control every feature of it. So there were more valuable and worth prioritized bullets of the list, such as your health, celebrations and creating shared memories with your close ones, hiccups at work, unexpected tweaks in your career trajectory, external circumstances, changes in your wishes and vision.?

Don't let the past version of yourself, unaware of the present journey you've been through this year, dictate or assess your achievements.

Be gentle with yourself while setting goals for the next year, delete every "but" point in your achievements, and leave room for life, not notes in your planner book.?

'How did they manage to achieve so much, and why didn't I?'

The temptation to measure our lives against others is irresistible. Moreover, social media exposes us to curated snapshots of success, fostering an elusive image that inevitably affects our self-worth.?

It has already massively tweaked the overall perception of success, which broadens wider than social media. It's impacting how you see, think, and speak about accomplishments. Being successful has become a requirement for everyone, not only celebrities, business people, and privileged ones.

Even as you applaud the achievements of others, you can find yourself wondering if you could have accomplished more. It's essential to recognize that during these moments of self-doubt, you often compare yourself to an idealized version of others – one that's often exaggerated.?

What's commonly overlooked is that people predominantly share their highs, not their lows.

During these vulnerable moments, it might make no sense. However, it's vital to remember that the picture you see is incomplete; you're not privy to the full spectrum of their experiences. This reminder assists in avoiding self-comparison while scrolling through our social feeds or engaging in conversations.

Perfectionism in every field - Burnout

A series of celebrations, increasing workload, and lengthening your occupations list within an accountant, best gift-giver, logistician, head chef, and dressmaker, doesn't make life easier. Furthermore, you feel vitally responsible for doing your best in every setting.

Prioritizing becomes paramount in navigating this sea of responsibilities. Don't let the pressure of immediate response or completion engulf you. Instead, consider the urgency and ask yourself: 'Before I send this email, can it wait till January?'. And make sure you and your team have a clear understanding of how to function during celebratory weekends.

It is crucial to be ready - things might not be perfect. You may not be able to complete all the work tasks that you had planned, some gifts may have to be bought at the last minute, the dish you cook may be a little dry for your taste, but others may enjoy it, and there may be a possibility that the taxi you ordered might not arrive on time.

Take a deep breath and carve out time for peace amidst this chaos. To make it easier, have an appointment for a massage or something else to treat yourself. Don't forget to allocate time for general self-care – eating and adequate sleep – is non-negotiable.?

Don't let the striving to be perfect in every aspect of your life by the end of the year devastate you and disrupt your enjoyment of holiday and relaxation.?

'New Year - Same me'

As the New Year dawns and the collective buzz of resolutions fills the air, it's easy to feel stagnant amidst the proclamations of change by others.?

You can often begin the year with resolutions, promising yourself commitments like hitting the gym or starting new courses. However, these well-intentioned aspirations could fade away as the year progresses, leaving you feeling like a failure when reflecting on unmet goals. Focusing on these broken promises can overlook your evolution.?

It's tempting to feel a sense of inactivity while observing the apparent transformations and ambitions of those around you. Yet, it's crucial to remind yourself that someone else's new habits or aspirations, such as pursuing a Ph.D., do not diminish your personal growth.?

Comparing your pace of change to the visible resolutions of others often obscures the subtle shifts and personal triumphs that might not immediately catch the eye.

Remember, your journey of progress is ongoing, unique, and aligned with your aspirations and needs. Meaningful change often unfolds quietly over time. Don't refuse the acknowledgment of your accomplishments and strivings, even if you find them "not grandiose" enough to be pronounced loudly!??

The year-end rush often fuels the desire for perfection and the innate tendency to compare. These feelings don't define envy or a negative personality; they're universal emotions we all grapple with.

Yet, it's vital to acknowledge the narrative of our lives isn't solely composed of accomplishments or benchmarks; it's a collage of moments, relationships, growth, and resilience.?

True success isn't merely about ticking off tasks, loud resolutions, and numbers; it's found in the lessons learned and the meaningful moments shared throughout our journey.?

As we embrace the upcoming year, let's remember that our worth transcends comparison. Here's to celebrating our paths and authenticity!