Why New Year could be a time to look within.
As the New Year begins, many of us feel intense pressure to change; to look different, achieve more, be more confident, more productive, more ‘together’. The focus so often on the outer parts of our lives: our homes, eating habits, fitness routines, finance goals, or our appearance. While these things obviously do matter (physical health and wellbeing should always be a focus) I’m often left feeling that focusing solely on such changes only serves to distract us from what truly needs attention, and that is our inner world.
Change can come from simply forcing ourselves into new habits and behaviours, but I believe lasting change grows from gaining a deeper understanding of what’s happening within us - and why. Feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, low mood or being “stuck” don’t disappear just because the calendar turns to January and we’ve booked ourselves onto a Pilates class or because we’ve managed to brush off our running trainers. In fact, placing pressure on ourselves to solely focus on making such outer changes, can sometimes serve to deepen those internal struggles.
And this is where therapy comes in. Within my therapy space, our emphasis will always be on creating a safe, supportive time for you to explore your inner experience with curiosity and with a view to developing new insights. Therapy isn’t about becoming a different person or fixing what’s “wrong” with you. It’s about understanding yourself more fully, your emotions, patterns, and unmet needs, so that lasting change can emerge naturally and compassionately. When inner change begins, outer change often follows. Decisions feel clearer. Boundaries become easier. Self-criticism softens. This kind of growth doesn’t need a deadline or a resolution, it unfolds in its own time.
So this New Year, instead of asking “What should I change about myself?”, consider asking “What do I need to understand, accept, or care for within myself?” Therapy can help you begin that journey — not by pushing you forward into a 7am gym session, but by helping you turn inward, where real and lasting change begins. If this sounds interesting, I’d love to do this work with you. And that work can start with a free consultation and assessment, where we can take a little time to look at how life is for you right now, and what feels like it needs work.
Feel free the book a free initial consultation via my online booking system and we can have a chat about what you need . I currently can offer online sessions with immediate starts, and have a short waiting list for in person sessions in my practice space in Birmingham.
Photo by Yiran Yang on Unsplash
