Reflections on the New Year

I’ve always had a strange relationship with the New Year’s holiday. While resolutions for some can be really helpful, for me they always felt like pressure and made me feel bad about myself. Growing up as a child of the 70s, New Year’s resolutions in my culture and family meant only one thing… weight loss. It felt to me that once January 1st came around, every single person went on a diet. I’m sure this wasn’t the case, but in my family and community, it certainly seemed that way. The New Year’s holiday became synonymous with a message that my body “as is” was not okay. It is not surprising that, to this day, even the idea of resolutions makes me cringe.

New Year’s resolutions in the zeitgeist have certainly morphed since that time, but they still are often focused on self-improvement and something about it still doesn’t sit right with me. This year, I decided to really notice what naturally felt aligned when observing this holiday and transition to a new year. I found myself celebrating my experiences and relationships fostered in 2022. I acknowledged some of the positive changes that I have made in the past year. And, importantly, I reflected on my work and the incredible and inspiring clients that I have the privilege to work with. 

As Jennifer Friedman Wellness moves into 2023, I want to begin by thanking you all for taking the time to read my “Hello From My Desks”, for checking out my offerings, and for being bright lights in the world. I invite you to take an inventory of all of the good moments that transpired in your life in 2022. Whether you enjoy resolutions or not, you may find that it is a way to move into the New Year with excitement and intention to continue all that is working in your life. As Socrates once wrote, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” 

Here’s to building the new…