New Year, New Me? Nope...Still Reinventing the New Year!

“Sometimes, new years aren’t about anything new at all.”

Last January, I shared a message, “Reinventing January,” However, I probably should have titled it “Reinventing the New Year” because it was all about how I was experimenting with a new cadence for all things in the new year. 

Essentially, I stopped trying to beat myself into submission every January by shifting my new year to better align with my energetic and creative rhythm. You can read more on how I do that here. 

When I shared this concept and new personal practice last January, I received such an overwhelming response about how much the message resonated. Now that it’s January again, I thought it was a good time to revisit this unconventional concept and provide an update on how my reinvented new year is going. 

Old Habits Die Hard

Being on social media certainly makes it harder not to fall into the mental trap of “new year, new me.” Over the past two weeks, I’ve seen countless posts recapping all things 2023 and cheerful anticipation for more in 2024. I won’t deny it; I have felt behind and unprepared a few times as I scrolled lately. I’ve had to deliberately remind myself, “This is not your new year. It is your personal Q4 and just the halfway mark for your business goals!”

So, instead of having to set annual goals now when I don’t have the energy to chase them, I am continuing to build upon the already created momentum of my current reimagined year and setting goals for the next 90 days, which is something I do each quarter.

Trust the Process, Though Imperfect

Now, a year into this flow, I know that despite my initial anxiety about going against the grain, this works for me! Last January through March, I really did rest more. And, thank goodness, because by April, I had to use that stored energy to go through a personal grieving journey. Two friends who had been very instrumental in my life died within months of one another, and the grief I experienced was unparalleled.

I’d love to say that when my personal new year began in April, I was ready to take the world by storm. But I was not. Instead, a storm was brewing in me. My happy new year was not so happy. Grief manifested anxiety. I spent much of Spring experiencing panic attacks and unable to chart a new course for myself.

Sometimes, new years aren’t about anything new at all. Sometimes, they are about finally dealing with what was already there. That’s what I did. I leaned into the uncomfortable (with support - and that can’t be overstated).

By summer, I felt more ready for a fresh start, and so my business new year did truly begin. During the first six months, the business achieved all but one of our goals, and we took nearly two weeks off to rest over the 2023 winter holiday.

Stay the Course

And, here we are in January 2024 and I feel a lot of peace knowing that I have six more months before my new plans need to take shape. I get to stay the course and make adjustments along the way without the pressure to be and do new things right now out of alignment with my personal rhythm. I’m grateful for the fortitude to go against tradition and the wisdom to trust my inner guide.

Plans will succumb to life no matter when we make them. That much we know. Deciding to stop fighting the winter blues and just allow it to carry me into the next season has been one of the best decisions I could have made for myself and my businesses!

Liberate yourself and reinvent your new year!

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