January. The time of year when we tend to put pressure on ourselves to improve. To make resolutions. To strive to do better than the year before. To become our best self (whatever the f#@$ that means).
Don’t get me wrong. I’m all about (achievable) goals and doing better. I mean, I’m a coach, so you know – I better be into this stuff. It’s just that we usually go about it in a way that leads to feeling like a failure.
Striving to become your “best self” is inherently painful. Because no matter how good you get, you’re always comparing the here and now to a best version that is likely impossible to achieve. And so – it is never good enough.
Perhaps it’s time to toss the idea of a “best self” in the proverbial trash along with a big ass squirt of lighter fluid and a match.This feels more important than ever. Because honestly – 2020 and 2021 were big stinky flaming trash heaps for many of us.
Here’s something to consider. Instead of the standard “new year, new you” uber ambitious exercise or weight loss goals, think about building new habits around sleep, stress management, recovery and feeding your soul in 2022. Especially if you’re feeling burned out.
A few ideas…
- Read for pleasure 30 minutes/day
- Start your nighttime wind down routine 15 minutes earlier
- Subscribe to Wondrium and take one new class/week or month
- Buy a new cookbook and prepare one new recipe/week (I just purchased The Ultimate Meal-Prep Cookbook by America’s Test Kitchen)
- Grab one of the puzzles you bought at the beginning of the pandemic and start working on it
- Commit to a friend date every week or every other week (hike, coffee, Zoom happy hour)
What if we gave ourselves space and grace to grow? What if we chose to focus on habits we’re excited about? What if we made the journey without crushing judgments and burdensome expectations?
That sounds like freedom, adventure, and joy to me.
💙 Robyn
Interested in a one-on-one coaching relationship with me? It would be an honor to work with you if and when the time feels right.
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