I’m not ready yet.
Let's normalise starting fresh whenever it feels right. March, June, or even September, your "new year" begins when your mind, energy, and focus are aligned.
Hey lovelies,
It’s Donita, sliding into your inbox with some real talk as we step into this new year.
I’ve just returned from holiday today (yes, I was away for quite a while), and I want to share something that’s been on my mind: guilt.
Guilt about what?
Resting.
Can you believe it?
Let’s be honest, January arrives, and suddenly everyone’s talking about new year, new me and setting massive goals.
I felt guilty for taking time for myself, but now that I’m back, I’m so glad I did.
Taking that time allowed me to rest, re-evaluate, and break free from the pressure to conform to society’s and social media’s timelines.
I wasn’t ready to jump into making a vision board yet, even though everyone else was
But here’s the thing, I know I’m not the only one who’s ever felt guilty for prioritising themselves instead of grinding away and buying into hustle culture.
Let’s talk about it.
Here’s my opinion:
Trying to completely transform yourself in the first few weeks of the year?
That's a setup for burnout.
As "The 12-Week Year" taught me: "Annualised thinking is the enemy of greatness."
No wonder people start going to the gym then immediately stop.
You're rushing the process!
Here's what changed everything for me:
"A goal without a plan is just a wish, and a plan without execution is just a dream."
Sure, the "New Year, New You" energy is tempting, but lasting change takes more than a vision board and a gym membership.
Real reinvention?
It's about having a made-up mind and breaking your goals into manageable steps.
In other words, take time, plan, and then execute.
The book put it perfectly: "Success is not about what you know, it's about what you do with what you know."
Think of it like skincare, you wouldn't slap on a mask and expect perfect skin overnight. You build a routine, track progress, and adjust as needed.
My favourite lesson from the book? "It's better to execute at 80% consistency than to create the perfect plan."
Even though I’ve started my new year in mid-January, I know from the book that this won’t impact what I want to achieve because I plan to stay consistent once I get going.
Why overwhelm yourself with lofty, year-long goals when you can break them down into digestible chunks?
Let's normalise starting fresh whenever it feels right. March, June, or even September, your "new year" begins when your mind, energy, and focus are aligned.
Remember: "Time is not the issue; the real issue is how we use our time."
March, June, or even September, your “new year” begins when your mind, energy, and focus are aligned.
It’s not about keeping up with others’ timelines; it’s about honoring your own journey.
P.S here’s a video that will help any of you that want to apply this book in your lives.
The real growth
When clients come to me looking for change, I always keep it real. Growth is beautiful, but it’s not always easy, quick, or Insta-perfect.
Whether it’s business, relationships, or body goals, it’s important to remember that everyone’s highlight reel hides the hustle, the struggles, and the setbacks.
My advice?
Stay in your lane, move at your own pace, and don’t let anyone rush your growth. Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s, it just needs to feel right for you.
So, What’s Next for You?
Whether you’re easing into 2024 or plotting your big moves later in the year, remember: the key to reinvention isn’t pressure.
It’s patience, transparency, and giving yourself grace.
Top 5:
Later daters on Netflix
Grilled tilapia - Chez Clarisse mama Africa - osu Ghana -
“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.” – Wayne W. Dyer.
Picked up these babies in the sale at Harvey Nics and couldn’t believe my luck, they are super comfy and easy to walk in.
That’s it from me
Don x
P.S. Ready to map out your 12-week goals? Slide into my DMs, I’ve got tips to get you started!
Agreed, I’ve stopped making big new year new me goals and instead have priorities that I want to make the focus and try and on a monthly basis review the priorities! So for me it feels like like a huge life goal and just about mental shifts I want to make. Great read and welcome back from your hols!
I love this post today! Just what I needed to read this morning. Thank you