New Year, Same You and That's Ok!

Counting down to a new year makes me anxious especially in the age of social media. I’m overwhelmed by all the year-in-review countdowns--top 10 songs, top 10 TikTok trends, top 10 most searched terms on Google! UGH! Even worse are the messages of “New Year, New You." They feel like a personal attack.  Did I live up to my goals? Do I have any new goals? Do I have to work harder, read more, take better IG photos, eat better, vote, save the world? All this new year resolution stuff is just too much pressure. When did this even start? According to History.com and Almanac.com, new year resolutions began over 4,000 years ago with the ancient Babylonians. Their new year celebrations started in March where they crowned a new king or pledged loyalty to the current king; planted crops; and promised to their gods to repay debts. 

 

One of the things I learned during the pandemic is that no matter how much I plan, I can’t control every aspect of my life and the world. Forces beyond my control may prevent me from  keeping my resolutions, and I don’t like feeling like a failure. So, I had to accept that the only thing I can control is my reaction to the changes and challenges happening around me. This is how we can build resilience. I’d like to share with you some tips to build resilience as the beginning of 2023 bombards you with messages to reinvent yourself. 

 

1. Get together and talk with family, friends, or parents. Think about connecting to a community, like a religious group, sports team, a library program or a school club. 
2. Cut yourself some slack. When something bad happens in your life, the regular levels of stress may feel more intense. Be prepared for this and go a little easy on yourself. 
3. Create a hassle-free zone. Make a space a “hassle-free zone” that is free from stress and anxieties. This could be space in your home or your favorite bench in a park.  
4. Stick to the program. During a time of major stress or change, map out a routine and stick to it. Do not forget the routines that give you comfort. 
5. Take care of yourself. Be sure to take care of yourself—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Eat well, stay hydrated, rest, pray or recognize your higher power.
6. Set small goals.  During challenging times, try to set and accomplish one small goal a day. For example, getting up and brushing your teeth. 
7. Express yourself.  Sometimes it is too hard to talk to someone about what you’re feeling, so do something else to capture your emotions like start a journal or create art. 
8. Help somebody.  Nothing gets your mind off your own problems like helping someone else, so try this if you have the emotional labor to do so.
9. Put things in perspective. If you’re worried about whether you’ve got what it takes to get through this difficult time, think back on a time when you faced and overcame a challenge.  
10. Turn it off. Sometimes, the news and social media can add to the feeling that nothing is going right. Try to limit the amount of news and screen time you take in.

Email us at bklynfuture@bklynlibrary.org to tell us how you stay grounded during tough times of the year.
 

Resources: American Psychological Association. (2020, June 1). Resilience for teens: Got bounce?  http://www.apa.org/topics/resilience/bounce-teens

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