Rethink your New Year's resolutions
As a psychologist and psychotherapist, January is a month I see many people struggle. The festive season ends, the credit card bills roll in, and society hands us a mandate: "New year, new you." We're pressured to set ambitious goals, to reinvent ourselves overnight, simply because the calendar has flipped over. This expectation to spring into action often clashes with how we actually feel, tired, depleted, and in need of rest.
What if this annual pressure is fundamentally mismatched with our own internal rhythms? Nature doesn't burst into life in the middle of summer's peak; it rests in winter and awakens in spring. By looking to the natural world and the wisdom of ancient cultures, we can find a more compassionate and effective way to approach personal growth.
The problem with January resolutions
The tradition of setting New Year's resolutions is deeply ingrained in our culture. It promises a clean slate, a chance to become a better version of ourselves. Yet, for many, it becomes a source of anxiety and, ultimately, failure. Research consistently shows that a vast majority of resolutions are abandoned within weeks.
Why does this happen? A key reason is that we often set these goals from a place of pressure, not genuine readiness. After the rush of the holiday period, our energy reserves are often low. In the Southern Hemisphere, January is the height of summer, a time for relaxation and enjoying the outdoors, not for starting strenuous new routines. In the Northern Hemisphere, it's the dead of winter, a season naturally associated with hibernation and introspection.
As a therapist, I see the fallout. Clients come to me feeling defeated, judging themselves for not having the willpower to stick to their goals. This cycle of ambition, guilt, and self-criticism does more harm than good, eroding self-esteem rather than building it. The core issue isn't a lack of discipline; it's that we're trying to force growth at a time when our bodies and minds are telling us to slow down.
A more natural approach: Living with the Seasons
What if we looked to a wiser, older clock, the rhythm of the seasons? Nature provides a powerful blueprint for growth, one that is cyclical, patient, and sustainable. Life in the natural world doesn't follow a rigid, linear path. There are periods of intense activity, but they are always balanced by periods of rest and regeneration.
Winter: A time for Reflection and Rest
Winter is nature's quiet time. The days are shorter, the energy is lower, and the world seems to turn inward. This is the natural season for reflection. Instead of forcing ourselves into action, we can use this time to look back on the year that has passed. What lessons did we learn? What challenges did we overcome? What are we grateful for?
This period of introspection allows us to process our experiences and gain clarity without the pressure to immediately do something about it. It’s about being, not doing. Just as a garden lies dormant to gather strength for the spring, we too can use winter to rest, recharge, and allow our ideas and intentions to incubate.
Spring: The season of New beginnings
When spring arrives, the world awakens. Shoots push through the soil, buds appear on trees, and a fresh energy fills the air. This is the natural time for new beginnings. After a period of winter rest, our energy levels are renewed, and we are more genuinely prepared for change.
This is the perfect moment to plant the seeds for the year ahead. The goals we set in spring feel less like a chore and more like a natural expression of our renewed vitality. Whether it’s starting a new project, learning a skill, or adopting a healthier habit, we are more likely to succeed when our efforts are aligned with the vibrant, forward-moving energy of spring.
The wisdom of Indigenous calendars
This concept of aligning life with the seasons is not new. For thousands of years, Indigenous cultures around the world have lived by seasonal calendars that reflect the subtle environmental changes in their specific regions. These calendars are far more nuanced than the four seasons we commonly follow, often dividing the year into six, seven, or even more periods, each with its own distinct characteristics and purpose.
In the area we now call Melbourne, Naarm originally, the traditional owners, the Kulin nations, recognise seven distinct seasons. This detailed calendar is based on intimate observation of the land, the behaviour of plants and animals, and the movement of the stars.
The Seven Seasons of the Kulin Nation
Biderap (Dry Season): January – February
Iuk (Eel Season): March
Waring (Wombat Season): April – July
Guling (Orchid Season): August
Poorneet (Tadpole Season): September – October
Buath Gurru (Grass Flowering Season): November
Gurrong (Kangaroo Apple Season): December
Each season signals a time for specific activities, when to hunt, when to gather certain foods, when to perform ceremonies. For example, Guling (Orchid Season) in August is a time of new life, similar to early spring, making it a natural point to start new things. This deep connection to the environment fosters a way of life that is in harmony with, rather than in opposition to, the natural world. Exploring the Indigenous calendar of your local area can offer profound insights into a more attuned way of living.
How to create your own seasonal plan
Adopting a seasonal approach to personal growth is a gentle yet powerful shift. Here’s how you can start.
Observe your environment: Pay attention to the world around you. Notice the changing light, the plants in your garden or local park, and the behaviour of the birds. Let these natural cues, rather than the calendar date, guide your energy.
Embrace winter for reflection: Use the cooler, darker months to journal, meditate, and reflect on your life. Ask yourself what you want to let go of and what you want to cultivate in the year ahead.
Harness spring's energy: When you feel the first stirrings of spring, start planning. Set your intentions and break them down into small, manageable steps. This is the time to take action.
Live fully in summer: Summer is a time of high energy and celebration. Enjoy the fruits of your labour, connect with others, and embrace spontaneity.
Harvest in autumn: As the year winds down, autumn is a time to gather your "harvest." Acknowledge your achievements, no matter how small, and prepare for the coming winter rest.
By shifting our perspective, we can release ourselves from the pressure and disappointment of traditional New Year's resolutions and embrace a more natural, sustainable path to growth.
Begin a new cycle
The start of a new calendar year doesn't have to be a frantic race to reinvent yourself. Instead, it can be an invitation to slow down, listen, and align yourself with the natural rhythms of life. By embracing the quiet reflection of winter and saving our energy for the renewal of spring, we honour our own needs and set ourselves up for genuine, lasting change.
This year, give yourself the gift of patience. Let go of the pressure to perform and instead, tune into the wisdom of the seasons. You might find that the most profound growth happens when you stop forcing it and simply allow it to unfold.