New Year, New Me?
January 2, 2024
Writer: Avery Heilbrunn
Editor: Abbie Orlinsky
Whenever a new year rolls in, it can be easy to place intense pressure on setting highly ambitious and, quite honestly, unattainable goals. We tend to internalize the overused adage, “New Year, New Me,” and feel the inevitable need to revamp our entire identity. While the ongoing tradition of creating New Year’s resolutions can be motivating, there is a fine line between setting reasonable intentions and creating stress-inducing plans.
In our volatile, modern world, social media can be our worst enemy. While many influencers can offer strong, efficient guides and inspiration for your new-found endeavors, the pressure and comparison they instill is like no other. Social media plays a large factor in our generation's constant need to meet certain unrealistic lifestyles. For example, during the new year, TikTok was a huge hotspot for mental toxicity. While scrolling on my algorithm-based For You page on January 1st, every other TikTok I passed was “the 75 Hard Challenge”, “Ten easy ways to look like your best self this 2024,” and so many other toxic and superficial “goals”. Although these TikToks are advertised to help individuals reach their personal goals, they essentially do quite the opposite, forging a misconstrued perspective of reality within young women.
In contrast, I have found reflecting on your accomplishments from past years allows for a more balanced approach. This encourages me to appreciate my growth rather than fixating on an unrealistic future. It's essential to find a middle ground, acknowledging the desire for personal development while avoiding the undue burden that can arise from having impractical ambitions. I strive for this new year to give us the chance to assess the positives and negatives of the past while creating a doable agenda to only better ourselves. Rather than succumbing to external pressures, we can channel our energy into resolutions that align with our values and contribute positively to our overall physical and emotional well-being.
Rather than beginning your new year with a step-by-step guide on how to artificially change your entire identity, begin with a deep breath and a reminder that you have made it this far by simply being you. 2024 should consist of gaining confidence, determination, valuing yourself and body, and reflecting. If you choose to block out the unnecessary noise, who knows what this year may bring.
