Well hello to you my reader chums! 2022 has nearly ended, and I can't believe the year is nearly up. I say this every year, but it genuinely feels like I've blinked, and the year was over. This year has been one of the best, I feel incredibly grateful to have gotten back into travelling, meet my partner and spend quality time with family and friends. It has been another year of healing, furthering self-love for myself and growing even more.

The new year I find can be a time when many of us feel pressured into setting goals and changing our whole lives. However, just because it's a new year, it doesn't mean you need to completely change things, you can set goals which are sustainable for you.

Whether you're nervous or excited about the new year, here are the reminders you need to hear before the new year begins.

You don't need to become a new person

When it comes to the new year, everyone around us sets these big goals to try to be a new person and live a new life. And although most of this comes from good intentions, you don't need to follow people in committing to massive plans. Your life and your goals are okay as they are, you don't have to make drastic changes to match everybody else. You can make smaller goals or keep living the life you do, it's your new year, after all, it's your life. Nobody cares what you do as much as you do, so you should try and do what makes you happy.

The new year is what you make of it

The new year means something different to everybody. For me, I like it as a mini fresh start and a chance to look back on what the past year has been like. Also, how I'd like to go forward in the new year, whether that's making some changes or continuing work I've done in the previous year. Decide what the new year means to you and focus on that mantra instead of comparing yourself to everybody else.

This year doesn't have to have been the best year ever

Not everyone is living their best life. We've all had hard times, we've all had moments this year where we've struggled and that's okay. It's important to sit and remind yourself of that. You're not alone, you have people around you who have also been struggling.

Social media isn't real 

Social media is a point I talk about all the time, especially in reminder posts because it's the worst thing for comparison. This time of year, everyone posts their highlight reels and photos of the past year and as exciting as this is to see, if you've had a bad year, it can be hard to watch. Remind yourself, social media isn't real, people are sharing their highlights, not the daily ongoings of their lives.

You can start your goals at any point in the year

The new year doesn't mean you have to set goals, you can change your life or set goals at any point in the year, whether that's on a random Monday or at the end of the year. Goals are useful at any point and can be worked towards whenever you want.

Your happiness is the main goal

Your happiness is key in your life, you deserve to feel happy, and love the skin you're in and the life you have. In the new year, with all the pressure of new goals, we forget to focus on all the amazing things we already have, whether it's the people around us, where we live or our passions in life. These things feed into our happiness and make us who we are; don't stray from that because you're trying to change your life.

Age is just a number

Another new year means undoubtedly turning another year older. Whatever you feel about age, whether it's good or bad, it's important to understand it's only a number. Your age doesn't define who you are and what you need to achieve by a certain number. As I've gotten older, the pressure of my twenties definitely has hit harder, but I try to focus on the things I've achieved and not what society tells me I need to achieve.

Life really is what you make it

Life is incredible, life is about growth, life is about learning and we should all learn to appreciate it. We're all going to experience ups and downs, it's part of life. Whatever you're going through at the minute, it will pass and good things are coming. And, if you are experiencing a wonderful day currently, keep riding that wave, it's so exciting.

You are good enough

You are worthy, you are good enough, and you are amazing. You deserve fab things to happen to you. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. What would you add?

Thank you for reading <3