New Year, New You?
31st Dec 2019
As we approach the New Year, it’s hard to turn around without bumping into advice or articles on ways to improve yourself in 2020. We’re all for self-improvement, but what if your resolution for 2020 didn’t include a “new you” that was 10 pounds lighter? What if we all started to embrace that our personal evolution is more complex and deeper than being able to fit into a size 'x'? And that when we tie our worth as people into something as arbitrary as the size of our thighs, we completely discount all of the beautiful, valuable things we have to offer the world that can’t be seen when we look in the mirror?
I struggle with this too. When I get together with my friends and they lament their post-baby bodies, or the new emergence of fine lines, I wish that they could see themselves the way that I do: strong, smart, capable, amazing, talented women. And yet, when I look in the mirror, I tend to critically focus more on the stretch marks and fine lines, instead of celebrating the strong, remarkable, work-in-progress that lies beneath.
As we get ready to celebrate the new year, instead of 'out with the old, in with the new' including a new body, maybe 'in with the new' could be a new mindset of loving ourselves, and helping those around us to see all of the lovely things about themselves as well? In a world that can feel like it's trying to tear us down, show us our faults, and demand perfection, let’s lift each other up, be vulnerable, and encourage one another.
Maybe 2020's resolution could be to spark a revolution? Where we focus on all of the wonderful things we have to offer the world besides the way that we look, and we help the people around us do the same? Because just as you are, you’re already worth all the health, happiness, and prosperity that we hope for in the New Year - no "new you" required.
Wishing you lots of love and laughter in 2020!
