Counsellor Sarah Barr reminds us to be kind to ourselves this New Year.

With the New Year comes the temptation on setting resolutions, which is great if they are helpful and realistic.

However, we sometimes have a tendency to only focus on the negative, especially when it comes to thinking about ourselves. We self-criticise, create unrealistic expectations and compare ourselves to others. When doing this we dismiss what we have accomplished, goals we have achieved, kindness we have shown to ourselves and all of our small wins.

This year when thinking of self-improvement and new year resolutions, think of the things that already work for you.

Accept who you are and resist the urge to strive for an entirely new you in 2022. Instead accept you last year, today and tomorrow.

Below are a few suggestions that may help in making your own resolutions for 2022:

• Before setting new goals for 2022, take time to reflect on everything you have achieved in 2021. 

• Evaluate the relationship you have with yourself. Ask would you speak to somebody else in the way you speak about yourself? 

• Being kind to yourself regularly is one of the best things you can do.

• Break your goal down into smaller steps and focus on what you need to do to make it work.

• Keep a track of your progress and celebrate all of your wins, this will help you to stay motivated and increase your chances for success. 

• Create a habit, by being consistent and reward yourself when you complete your goal.

• Finally, don’t beat yourself up, life happens and we can’t always achieve our goals all of the time, but we can always start over the next day or week.

Wishing you all a healthy and happy 2022,

Take care, Sarah.