Expectations for the New Year

I think that there is a kind of unconscious pressure that comes with the new year. We are expected to have resolutions, set goals, and change ourselves hence the common phrase new year, new me.

High expectations

Some people think that the new year will wash away their past and automatically turn them into someone different. When in reality, they are the same person and will remain the same if they do not put in the work to change. We want a complete transformation of our lives in a year which is impossible because we can’t completely change ourselves in a year. Change takes time and requires intentionality.

Transformation isn't necessary

Speaking of change, you don’t have to always try to transform your life every year, doing that can get you overwhelmed. Sometimes, wanting to improve on something that you have been doing in the previous year is enough.

Let me make it make sense: Look at your life in the previous year. Some things are definitely working well for you, instead of switching to something different in the name of change, you can work on improving that and take it to another level.

Don't get me wrong, it is also okay to want change in your life, after all, change is constant but wanting a complete transformation of your life in a year is almost impossible. Everyone agrees that change is constant so this is where what I call 'intentional change' comes in. You have to be intentional about the areas that you wish to change. That way, it is easier to see and track changes as they happen.

Focus areas

Focusing on 2 or 3 areas of your life at a time is recommended. Anything more than 3 might increase your chances of quitting. For someone like me living with sickle cell, here are 3 areas of life that you might want to consider working on this year:

Physical health

Of course, physical health has to be top of the list. This is me also taking my own advice. I don't think I've been doing a good job taking care of myself physically. This year, I expect myself to be more conscious of what I eat, take my routine drugs religiously, exercise when I can, and include dietary supplements in my daily routine.

Mental health

Our physical health is as important as mental health. Sickle cell disease can be draining mentally hence it is important to take care of your mental health. Positivity can never be overrated so surround yourself with positive people, things, and so on. I want to read more books this year and write more whether that is in my journal or creatively.

Finances

You would agree with me that sickle cell disease is financially draining. One pain episode can make you clear all your savings. This is why we need to pay attention to our finances as well.

You might think that your finance is all about just making money. Well, you also have to consider how you manage your money.

One thing I learned last year that I wish to improve on was managing my finances. Tracking how I spend my money and investing in things that make sense to me.

What change looks like

If you are expecting any changes in these 3 areas, then you need to first know what that change will look like and make a plan on how you want to get there.

Also, remember that change takes time. And even though it takes time, you need to be honest with where you are. The change that you want to see might happen in one year and it might not, depending on where you are on your journey.

It is the expectations and deadlines that we put on ourselves that either push us to greatness or bring us to depression.