3 Areas of Your Life You Should Assess in the New Year

So, it’s been three weeks now since we said goodbye to another unsettled COVID year and most people are back at work and into the daily commitments and pressures of a new year.

 

The start of a new year is a good time to reflect over the past year and write down what worked for you and what didn’t work. Once you have done that, think about what areas of your life you would like to change or improve and then set small incremental goals to move yourself forward. 

 

The goals or resolutions you may have set just a few short weeks ago still matter, and it’s time to take charge of your life now so that you’re not still in this same position 12 months from now.

 

Three of the most common resolutions involve career, health and relationships.

 

Career / Employment

2022 is set to be the Year of the Great Resignation.  One in two Australian workers are unhappy at work and the situation over the last couple of years has made people reflect on their life and what is important to them.

 

If you are working full time, chances are you’re spending 40-50 hours at the office drowning in emails and spreadsheets, or you are caring for others or doing backbreaking work.  You are probably at work just as much as you are at home!  If you’re unhappy or stressed in your job then it’s going to spill over into your home life and personal relationships, and possibly cause mental or physical health concerns.

 

Why spend so much of your time unhappy and stressed?

 

I know you have bills to pay, and most people can’t just quit on a whim, but if you hate your job, if you are sick of the workplace conflict, the bullying and the stress and pressure, then January is a great time to plan your exit strategy.  In fact, you’re not alone – it turns out there are more job searches in January than any other time of year!

 

Before you do anything, think about your career over the past year and write down answers to the following:

 

• What it is that will make you happier – is it a new career, or do you want to stay in the same role but would like to work in a different industry or may be in a new team within the same organisation?
• Do you need more support or less than you’re currently getting?
• What are your strengths and are you utilising them?
• What are your weaknesses?
• Is there a role that you would absolutely hate doing?

 

When you know what you need, you’ll be able to start making inroads into achieving this. You are never stuck. Yes, it might take months or even years if it involves studying or upskilling, but if you don’t start the process now, then you’re delaying the chance to welcome new opportunities into your life.

 

You don’t have to make a big move in one huge step. Smaller transitions such as working from home one day a week or moving from full time to part time can reap huge benefits, as can volunteering with a favourite charity or asking to move your desk away or not be rostered on with a toxic colleague.

 

Health

The most common New Year resolutions are to get healthy, lose weight and exercise more.  In fact, approximately 60% of people choose “exercise more” as a New Year resolution. 

 

To me, starting a new diet or exercise program now seems pointless.  Let’s face it – we are still eating all the food from Christmas/New Year parties, we are still catching up with family and friends and most of us are on holidays which should be fun, not the time to start a new exercise/diet regime.

 

Saying that, the start of a new year is a good time to reflect over the past year and write down what worked for you, what didn’t work and what areas of your life you would like to change or improve.  Use January to do the planning and research and then start your new routine in February. 

 

For example, consider what type of exercise you enjoy and look at how you can fit that into your life.  I personally don’t like going to a gym, so it would be a waste of time and money for me to join one.  On the other hand, I enjoy going for walks and my dog absolutely loves it, so if my goal was to “exercise more”, I’m better off planning walking trips I can do with my dog.

 

It can be daunting to start a new exercise habit but the best way of setting a habit and sticking to it is to break it down into bite size chunks.  Start small and slowly increase eg walk for 5 minutes initially and then increase it by one minute each day.

 

Relationships and Friendships

Detaching from a job is one thing. Parting ways with someone that you’ve shared so many amazing moments with, who’s seen you at your worst and loved you anyway, and who understands how you tick can be awfully heartbreaking and even debilitating.

 

Whether it’s an intimate relationship, a family member or a friend, if this relationship has been toxic, one-sided, unhealthy, demoralising or unsatisfying, then you need to weigh up the impact this relationship has on you.

 

You may not want to leave the relationship, but feel that it has lost its spark, or you may need to move it into a more positive direction.  Now is the time to have those conversations.

 

Do you want to go another 10, 20 or 30 years feeling this way?

 

If you’ve stayed in an unhappy relationship to see Christmas through for the kids or hang on due to an upcoming birthday or anniversary to lessen the blow, then it’s worth remembering that every day you’re unhappy is one less day of living the life you want.

 

Are you holding on to a loveless relationship because the unfamiliar is scary, or you think leaving is selfish or you think you should stay together for the sake of the kids? Research has actually shown that 8 in 10 youths aged 14-22 say that parents should not stay together for their sake.

 

While relationship breakups are extremely upsetting and life altering, don’t deny yourself years of happiness for the temporary fear of anger, hurt or guilt.

 

Making Big Decisions

Decision making is tough at the best of times.  If you struggle with making decisions, deciding to leave a career that brings in an income or a relationship isn’t a decision to make lightly.

 

But I do urge you to use this time of year to really consider the areas of your life that are not bringing you happiness or are causing you physical or mental health concerns.

 

Once you identify a toxic job or relationship, then you can start to work towards an exit strategy. In my appointments, when someone is facing a huge decision like these, we explore the reasons why you’re procrastinating and all the possible outcomes of that decision – who it impacts and how and what life would be like if you stayed where you are now.

 

Having a professional counsellor in the room with you not only offers you an objective outlook but can make sure that when you make your decision, you make it with confidence and conviction, knowing you’ve chosen to make this decision over all the other options available. You can know the decision you made was the right one for you in this moment.

 

Book your confidential appointment today and start your decision making process to make positive changes in your life.