Feeling Overwhelmed by New Year’s Pressure? You’re Not Alone. (How to Start the New Year YOUR Way)
It’s that time of year again when we’re all thinking about how to start the new year. We’re bombarded with messages about fresh starts, ambitious goals, and the “right” way to kick things off. But if I’m honest, all the conflicting advice can feel a bit overwhelming, even triggering.
One minute, you’re told to set SMART goals and hit the ground running; the next, you’re advised to take a slow and gentle approach to avoid burnout.
So, who’s right?
And how are you supposed to know how to start the new year in a way that actually works for YOU?
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to starting the new year.
What works for your best friend, favourite influencer, or productivity guru might not be the best fit for you.
Mindlessly following someone else’s “perfect” plan can actually set you off on the wrong path, leaving you feeling frustrated, discouraged, and even more lost than before.
This Year, Let’s Do Things Differently
Instead of caving to the pressure, take a step back and consider a more nuanced approach to starting the new year—one that honours your individual needs, preferences, and circumstances.
To help you navigate this process, I’ve identified three common “New Year Starter” archetypes.
See if you recognise yourself in any of these:
1. The Intentional Sprinter
- Driven by – Achievement, structure, and clear goals.
- Their jam – Setting ambitious targets, creating detailed plans, and diving headfirst into action. Think vision boards, colour-coded calendars, and early morning gym sessions.
- Potential pitfalls – Overwhelming, burnout, and inflexibility if things don’t go exactly according to plan.
2. The Mindful Meanderer
- Driven by – Self-care, reflection, inner peace.
- Their jam – Prioritising well-being, easing into the year with intention, and creating space for spontaneity. Think journaling, meditation retreats, and long walks in nature.
- Potential pitfalls – Procrastination, lack of direction, and difficulty gaining momentum if they get too comfortable with the slow pace.
3. The Strategic Synthesiser
- Driven by – Balance, sustainable progress, and adaptability.
- Their jam – Combining focused action with mindful reflection. They set goals but remain open to adjustments along the way. Think flexible schedules, regular check-ins, and a focus on long-term vision.
- Potential pitfalls – Can get stuck in “analysis paralysis” if they overthink things or may struggle to prioritise if they try to do everything at once.
Finding YOUR Starting Point for the New Year
Now, here’s the important part, these archetypes are not rigid boxes. You might see yourself in elements of all three!
The key is to use these descriptions as a starting point for self-reflection as you consider how to start the new year.
To help you dig deeper, ask yourself these five essential questions:
- What are my personal nuances? What makes you you? What are your values, priorities, strengths, and weaknesses?
- What are my personal data points? What has worked for you in the past? What hasn’t? What lessons can you learn from previous years?
- What is my financial situation? Be honest about your financial goals and obligations. How can you align your New Year’s resolutions and plans with your financial reality?
- What is my overall well-being? How are you feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally? Prioritise self-care and address any areas that need attention.
- What are my immediate priorities? What needs to be tackled right away? What are your short-term goals for the next few weeks or months?
Creating a Year that Truly Feels Like YOURS
Once you’ve taken the time to reflect on these questions, you’ll be in a much better position to design an authentic and empowering start to the year.
Remember, there’s no “right” way to start the new year. Whether you sprint, meander, synthesise, or create your unique blend, the most important thing is to be intentional, self-aware, and kind to yourself along the way.
Let’s ditch the pressure this year and create a year that genuinely feels like YOURS.
RESOURCES AND NEXT STEPS
If you’re looking for more support and guidance, here are some valuable resources:
- Book a conversation to see how we can help you with your mindset HERE.
- Have meaningful conversations. Connect with your people deeper by sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Use our Flip The Thinking Tool kit and share it with people around you. See how it helps you enrich the connection and conversation.
- Follow along on LinkedIn HERE
- Find out more about our women’s leadership programme HERE