4 Things to Let Go of Right Now Before You Enter the New Year

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It might feel odd to set New Year’s resolutions when you’re home with a new babe, but you're still entering into the new year with a fresh slate. It sounds cliche, but the saying is true: “The days are long but the years are short.” We have so much to look forward to. And with a new season, comes the inevitable time to leave things in the past. Don’t start out 2023 heavy-hearted or anxious. Take a deep breath and just like a certain Disney song that has been permanently etched into our memory, let it go.

No. 1 –– The glorification of “busy”

How often do you ask someone how they are and the response is something along the lines of, “Oh, just busy with work, life, etc. etc.”? We’re all guilty of it. The glorification of busyness actually affects our wellbeing. So often we tend to view being busy as a badge of honor. We see ourselves as plugged in, connected and valued, and assume other people likely see us the same way as we continue to demonstrate our excessively busy behavior. Let 2023 be the year you remove your “badge of busyness” and tune into the intentional, small moments that make up each day.

No. 2 –– Social guilt

Repeat after me: You are not required to attend any social event you don’t want to. Sometimes it is truly better for your mental health to stay home, but you get caught up in not wanting to disappoint people. True loved ones will not hold it against you if you choose to not participate. Especially if you’re an introvert, you need that time to recharge and refocus. This goes double for anyone going through a baby sleep regression. Forget social guilt and focus on what really feels best for your family.

No. 3 –– Scorekeeping

Whether it be in your personal or work life, keeping score does nothing but harbor resentment. If you’re constantly keeping track of all the nice things you’ve done for others only to note how their own efforts don’t stack up, chances are, you’re sabotaging your own happiness with your scorekeeping. This new year, clear the scoreboard. Use this as an opportunity to ask for help and vocalize your needs instead. Your partner might not realize you’ve changed the last four blowouts and are in desperate need of a handoff.

No. 4 –– Imaginary expectations 

There has always been an unspoken timeline for what ages you should have accomplished X, Y and Z. You might even have set these mental goals for yourself—i.e., “I want to be married by 30, first kid by 32.” But we don’t have control over the timeline. If becoming a parent has taught us anything it’s that life happens the way it’s meant to be. Each person’s timeline is unique because each of us have our own beautiful path to travel. As long as your days are filled with love, you’re on the right track.