It’s officially 2020. Looks like we gotta do this new year thing all over again…
Happy new year!
We did it! We made it through a whole 2019! Most of us (Unless there are any nine-year-olds having a blog browse) have made it through a whole decade! Now here we go all over again… Here’s to a fun 2020. Since my last post, I took a little bit of a blog break, enjoyed my Christmas, started prepping for some new projects coming up, and took some time to recuperate. But now I’m back and better than ever and I’m here to discuss the prospect of starting over.
Let's be real... A new year doesn't actually mean anything
If you want to be cynical, you’re not a new person at all. There’s no Cinderella transformation; you’re the exact same person that you were yesterday before the clock stroke 12. However, that works two ways… you don’t have to change today and you don’t have to change tomorrow, you can decide to start new whenever the f*ck you want. So why not make it today? Why not use the new year and the brand spanking new decade as a chance to start fresh. If you were looking for an excuse to get yourself in gear, this gives you a great one.
And so we begin
Though the whole “new year new me” rhetoric has turned into nothing but a statement of mocking irony and a chance to plug diet culture, it comes from a good place. You don’t need to change yourself if you don’t want to, but a new year gives us a chance to look within ourselves and figure out where we see ourselves by the end of it, be that the same place, or part of some fancy new goal.
This year, I really want to figure out what I’m doing with myself. 2019 was the year that I graduated, the year that I settled down in one city for the first time since owning this blog, and the beginning of no longer being bound by education. 2020 will be the first year of my life where there are no rules telling me what to do and where to be and I’ve actually got to figure it out for myself… It’s kind of terrifying but also I’m ready to start shaping my life now. It’s time.
The resolutions
If it wasn’t clear already, I’m a pretty goal orientated person. However, I have pretty conflicted opinions on new years resolutions. On one hand, I believe that having an actual goal to work towards is far more efficient than walking around the world willy-nilly. However, I also believe that setting goals for an entire year can be a little redundant, and you end up getting in your head about it. So, I like to set more open-ended goals. This year, I plan to…
Take better care of my physical health (more sleep, exercise, better food, more water)
Read more books (Goodbye English Literature degree, hello books I actually want)
Finish my book (We’re over halfway but there’s a lot of work to be done. Here’s the year I do it)
But also, no pressure
While I am the kind of person that gets super pumped at the prospect of a fresh start and a chance to better myself, not everybody does. If you’re the kind of person that feels stressed and forced to do something at this time of year, remember that it’s just another day. If you don’t want your new year/decade to symbolise change, it doesn’t have to. It’s okay to take things slowly and at your own pace. Breathe, slow down, and remind yourself that there’s no real time limit on your goals.
So here's so this new year
I won’t lie, it’s probably the most excited I’ve been for a new year in a while. As I said, I’m fresh out of University and ready to build a future. So, this is the first new year in a while that’s really and truly mine. Here’s to lots of laughs, opportunities, and a chance to strive for more and more. I wish everyone the best this year, and can’t wait to see us all smash it.
Have you got any plans for this year so far? Let me know in the comments!
Lots of love,
Jas xx
This post was found in my lifestyle category! Read similar posts here.
I love the new year for a fresh start! I have a really good feeling about 2020. I hope you have a great year x
Thank you! I hope that your good feeling is correct for 2020!
Jas xx
exciting times!! The year just gone was my first year out of uni and education and it’s been really amazing, I hope it is for you too!
Lucy | http://www.lucy-cole.co.uk
Awwww glad to hear that it was great for you! I’m hoping it will be!
Jas xx
Good luck with your Goals and ambitions for 2020
Thank you, good luck to you too!
Jas xx
Thanks Jas xx
Loved this! And, I agree – new year doesn’t have to mean new you but it is still a good time to introduce some new hobbies. Like you, I’ll be getting back into reading for pleasure – during uni i never wanted to pick up a book for leisure but now it’s all i want to do! 🙂
Sarah x
I’m the same! Good luck for the new year – hopefully we both read more! xx
Love this post. I am not one for new years resolutions, I start my goals in Spring. No pressure plans are perfect.
Sounds great! xx
Absolutely wonderful post! Your take on the new year is so refreshing…it could be a chance to do something and change, or it can just be another day. Brilliant! And I like your attainable resolutions too (so many books to read, so little time!). Best of luck in 2020.
Thank you so much! Best of luck to you in 2020 too xx
I completely agree with you. Even though you shouldn’t wait for a new year to change yourself it is a good starting point. Why not set yourself some goals but be realistic about what you are setting and set something that is going to help your future. Hope 2020 helps you achieve everything you want it to!
abigail | abigailtalksabout.com
I love reading and I hope you get to read lots of great books this year! Cheers to a brilliant future, and to an exciting 2020 🙂
Thank you! xx
I agree with just about everything here. It really doesn’t mean anything, you could make hanges at any moment. But the ‘new’ does make it a good time to reflect. I’m not a fan of resolutions because I feel like they’re usually completely unrealistic and put so many unnecessary pressures on people. But I am a fan of setting new goals…which is essentially the same thing. Clearly conflicted there… I hope you have the best year ever with your new freedom! x
Sophie
Thanks Sophie! Yeah I’m exactly the same – I love a good goal. xx
I’m in the totally same boat with this being the first year I won’t be in education! It’s both terrifying and exciting, but I’m sure you’ll suss it out in no time. 2020 certainly feels like it’s an exciting new year! x
It really does! Good luck to both of us!
Jas xx
Ahhh, this post speaks the truth on so many levels! I don’t believe in New year resolutions, but it’s great that you know where you stand. Happy 2020!
Happy 2020 to you too! xx
Setting goals is great but definitely not at the expense of putting yourself under so much pressure that you don’t even enjoy trying to reach those goals. I like what you said about a new year not actually meaning anything. It’s definitely more of a mental shift because in reality, it means nothing. The concept of time really f’s me up sometimes since I read this theory about how it doesn’t actually mean anything hahaha! x
Haha I get the same about time sometimes – it’s so weird isn’t it?! xx