Instead of creating a new you this New Year, try these self-acceptance practices instead

Around this time of year, we are faced with a huge amount of pressure to better ourselves. Encouragements to set resolutions that improve who you are and challenge yourself to achieve more are everywhere you look. There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of space for self-acceptance.

Well, we are here to tell you the opposite. We think you are great and that this New Year shouldn’t be about changing who you are. In fact, we suggest the complete opposite. We want this year to be about loving who you are and accepting yourself without judgment. Pretty tricky when “New Year, New Me” messages are in full swing, right?

Here are 4 practices to try that don’t involve creating a new you:

Body positivity

It’s the New Year, what better way to create a ‘new you’ than with a brand new body. Yep, you guessed it, diet culture is out in full force at this time of year. There’s no end to the messages telling us to detox after all the “bad” food we ate or make a fresh start with a new workout routine. But, what if this year we took time to see what we love in our bodies instead? What if we could learn to accept our bodies for how great they are at keeping us alive, instead of always thinking that they aren’t good enough?

We get it, pretty much every message you see is telling you to do otherwise. You’re encouraged to compare yourself to the bodies in the magazines, try the latest diet trend and to hide your body away. But it’s up to you to chose not to listen to them. Instead, try taking a look at the messages that these body positive inspo’s are sharing:

Gratitude

A new year bringing a ‘new you’ forces us to look at the things that need to change. The trouble here is that it leaves very little room to be grateful for all that you already have. If you’re trying too hard to create a ‘new you’ you might forget all the greatness that you already have within you.

Instead of creating resolutions based on what’s missing from your life, try to spend some time appreciating what you have. No matter how small an achievement may be, it’s worth celebrating. Don’t forget all that you have to be thankful for because you’re trying too hard to create a ‘new you’. You could even try writing them down in a book such as The Happiness Planner to really help them stick in your mind.

Self-care

Right now, you’re probably feeling a pressure to challenge yourself, take on new things and push yourself to achieve as much as you can in the year ahead. Whilst it’s definitely good to try something different, you should still be looking after yourself too. Face new challenges, but don’t push yourself too hard. Give something new a go, but don’t force yourself to do things you won’t enjoy. Say yes to new opportunities, but remember it’s okay to say no too.

Try to push aside the messages telling you to change who you are and have a go at celebrating yourself. It’s probably the hardest time of year to practice self-care, but Grace Victory has few ideas to help you along the way here.

Mindfulness

It’s easy to get wrapped up in setting goals and diving straight into trying to achieve them. Resolutions can be helpful, but it’s important not to get too hung up on them. When we are so focused on an end goal we often forget to be thankful. Instead of constantly looking at how close you are to fulfilling your resolutions, try taking some time to look at how you feel in the moment without thinking ahead.

If you worry too much about what you’re trying to achieve you may forget to look after yourself in the process. Even something as simple as giving an app such as headspace ago will help you keep in check with your New Year goals.