Letting Go Of "New Year, New Me"
Start writing a post
Adulting

Letting Go Of "New Year, New Me"

Going into a new year can be a good time to make changes in your life. But that doesn't necessarily mean you should have to change who you are in the process.

272
Letting Go Of "New Year, New Me"

"New Year, New Me." This is heard at the start of every new year as people vow to start fresh and become new people. It's a philosophy many may choose to adopt and live by. But it's time we let go of this popular state of mind and here's why:

"New Me" implies letting go of who we truly are.

In reality, "New Me" implies that who we are is not good enough for the world, and we need to become a new person instead. And this simply isn't the case and can be damaging to our sense of self-worth and identity.

We all make mistakes that we wish we could take back, or want to make strides to improve our lives, but that doesn't happen by letting go of the person you truly are.

The fact of the matter is that we are all capable of being good people. We just need to embrace who we are and use our strengths for good. Reflect on your best qualities and think of ways you can use them to do good in the world.

The key is recognizing all you are capable of accomplishing - without becoming someone else - by channeling the best aspects of who you already are.

We are capable of becoming better people, without losing our sense of identity.

A good way to phrase this would be, "New Year, Better Me." Everyone has flaws they wish they didn't, but we don't have to abandon who we are to fix them. We all have the ability to become a better person, without losing sight of our identity.

Find areas of your life that you think need improvement and put in the work to be better.

For example, if you want to be a more patient person, think to yourself, "Is being impatient worth the stress?" The answer is probably "no."

Change is possible without becoming someone else.

We need to learn to love ourselves again.

As people, many of us live in a constant state of self-consciousness - meaning that we are always looking for the things that are "wrong" with us and focusing on our flaws. This ultimately makes us unable to be happy. We need to learn to love who we are as human beings and do the things that encourage the journey to self-acceptance.

Make self-care a priority this year by setting aside quality time to do the things that bring you joy and make you feel good about yourself - whether that is taking a spa day to relax, actually reading the book on your nightstand that you've been meaning to get to, or working on your wellness journey with regular challenging workouts,

Allow time to celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how big or small they are - and don't be too hard on yourself when you face challenges along the way. We are all a work-in-progress. Love your imperfect self, and embrace the person you are.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

92339
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

70919
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments