New year, New You? No!

I get a little bristle-y each January 1st as the news and social media are filled with messages like, "new year, new you" - "this is YOUR year", "resolve to TRANSFORM in the year ahead."

That's an awful lot of pressure. It's almost setting yourself up to fail.

It also comes from a mindset of lack, rather than a growth mindset.

Looking at all you have yet to achieve, and all you would like to change, is a daunting task.

I suggest starting each year by acknowledging just how far you have come, not only in the past year, but over your lifetime.

Would the former you, be proud of the current you?

The personal development/self-help space is often well intended, but sometimes misses the mark.

It can make self-development seem like a competition, and foster insecurity about our "progress" or lack thereof.

I also caution against setting timelines and making public declarations. Personal growth should be just that, personal. And growth? Growth happens on its own schedule whether we like it or not.

This is just a reminder that life is neither a contest nor a race. There is no winning or losing. The only one you need to measure yourself against is yesterday's version of you. The only one you are accountable to is today's version of you.

I wish you a peaceful 2023, full of progress at your own pace, and victories that are important to you, and no one else.