Starting Over in the New Year

Starting Over in the New Year

By Tamika Glazier

There is something about the New Year that sparks an excitement in us to start over, to try again, to try harder and to be better. It’s a new beginning and with it we find ourselves writing down or thinking about all the things we want to achieve, all the things we want do and the person we want to be. Every New Year brings a new beginning where second chances can take place. Maybe there’s something that you want to do or somewhere you want to go. It’s a time to evaluate where you are in life and if you are any closer to being the person you want to be or having the life you want. There is just something about the New Year that makes it feels like a reset, suddenly you are filled with goals, dreams and aspirations and you can make it anything you want it to be.

However, the impending New Year is also a time to reflect on what you went through. A lot can happen in a year, and when you look back you realise that a year can do a lot to a person. We’ve all been through something this past year that has changed us in some way. We learnt lessons that made us wiser, we grew stronger, we broke hearts and our hearts got broken.  New chapters were started and others came to a close. We made new friends and lost some along the way, we hurt people we loved and people we loved hurt us.

 

With the year that has now passed, perhaps you didn’t do what you had set out to do, or didn’t accomplish what you had hoped. Maybe you held back on things because you were afraid, maybe you wanted to love but you felt scared or maybe you took a risk and it blew up in your face. Don’t push aside what has hurt you, learn and grow from it. A New Year brings with it a chance to start again, what you did and who you were doesn’t disappear, but your past mistakes don’t define you; you can change where you go to from here, accept what was and move onto what will be. It’s the excuse you’ve needed all year to turn your back on the things that no longer serve you. Don’t take with you what you no longer need, that no longer serves a purpose.

 

When you enter the New Year, think about who you want beside you. Life is about who you spend your time with, surround yourself with people who encourage you and who want the best for you. People you can tell anything to, who were there for you at your lowest point, those people are the ones you should value. Don’t lose someone that has seen your flaws and still chooses to love you. Make a promise to yourself to break down the barriers that hold you back. Say what you feel, make a change, challenge yourself, be ambitious and do things that excite you.

 

Every year, every week and every day, is what you make it. Life can bring you new opportunities at any moment and if you aren’t paying attention you might miss them. Start listening to your gut instincts, that’s the universe trying to guide you. You know deep down when something is wrong, don’t ignore how you feel, and if you feel like something is right and good, then take a chance, it’s ok to be afraid but do it anyway. Write your goals, set your intensions and never settle for anything less. Choose to be happy, be grateful for what you have, always be yourself and most importantly accept and believe in yourself.

 

Forget what is gone, appreciate what still remains, and look forward to what’s coming next.  The New Year can be anything you want it to be, nothing will change until you make the change. It is up to you.