New Year, New You? No Thanks. How About Embracing Yourself Instead?

Ah, “New Year, New You.”

Isn’t it everywhere?

Every January, it’s plastered on posters, shouted from adverts and sprinkled across social media like glitter at a school disco.

And honestly?

It winds me up.

Why?

Firstly, you are already amazing. You’re not some faulty appliance in need of replacement. You’re a complex, brilliant individual who’s achieved so much already. Yes, even if you don’t feel like it right now.

Secondly, waiting for a specific date to make a change is a trap. Why wait until January to take action? The perfect moment isn’t out there waiting for you. It’s here, right now.

And finally, it’s the marketing machine playing on our vulnerabilities. Promising a shiny, sparkly “new you” sells gym memberships and detox teas. It doesn’t address what really matters: what’s happening inside.

Nobody is broken and nobody needs fixing. It’s about tweaking the bits of life that aren’t working and moving towards a future that lights you up.

So if you’re at a crossroads, whether that’s redundancy, divorce, retirement or returning to work after maternity leave, this is your sign to stop waiting and start doing.

Here’s how I help my clients navigate these moments and find clarity and this will also help you.

Start with Acceptance

Life throws us curveballs, doesn’t it? Redundancy, for example, can hit like a tonne of bricks. The first step is recognising where you are without beating yourself up.

Ask yourself: What’s my reality right now? It’s not about wallowing, it’s about taking stock. When I work with clients, we explore this together. Acceptance isn’t giving up. It’s the foundation for building something better.

Reconnect with Who You Are

When was the last time you asked yourself, Who am I? What do I want?

Life’s transitions, like retiring or re-entering the workplace, can leave you feeling unmoored and unsure of your identity.

The truth is, you’re still you. The passions, talents and dreams you’ve carried for years are still there, even if they’ve been buried under the day-to-day grind. My coaching clients often light up when we dig into this part of the process. It’s like unearthing treasure.

Quiet the Inner Critic

That voice in your head saying, You’re not good enough? It’s lying to you.

This is where coaching can make all the difference. Together, we identify the source of that negative chatter so we can do something about it. One client described this as learning to “turn the volume down” on her doubts so she could finally hear her inner cheerleader.

Remember, self-esteem isn’t something you find by accident. It’s something you build deliberately.