You're Not Alone... Really
coping with the ups and downs of being an expat
You’re Good Just the Way You Are
Evaluating Your Well-Being Doesn’t Have to Mean CHANGE Even though it’s “that time of year,” when people feel compelled to focus on New Year’s Resolutions, (read: Change) I’m not always on-board with this "change for the sake of change" mindset. I’m here to tell you that you don’t always have to change. There are some things about yourself that probably are really good and other things you should review or rediscover to ensure that you don’t feel obliged to make an overhaul.
by Andrea McKenna Brankin Seeing the Value of What We Already Have I highlight these three areas — your body, your mind and your heart — because these are the things we doubt most that we can master. It’s true that life changes; we all change as the clock ticks away. But I think it’s important to determine if those areas really need changes or if we need to re-value what we have already. Let’s face it, we spend the last two months of the year being thankful for things and acknowledging our blessings. And then we hurtle into the New Year thinking we need to change all these things about ourselves to be better. I just don’t think that’s true.
Celebrate yourself ss you are
Three Questions How’s your physical health? If good, don’t change. If not, then it’s time to take a look at making some positive changes in your diet and exercise. How’s your mental health? If you generally feel good, with a few up and down moods, then that’s normal. If you sway heavily one way or the other without an in-between contentment, then maybe some work in this area is due. Do you feel happy with what you have? This could mean material things, where you live and with whom. If yes, no need to change anything. If no, well, then you can be more introspective about how to make moves towards more positive thoughts on these things.
For this New Year, I challenge you to give yourself a break. Cut yourself some slack on any purported or suggested changes. Celebrate yourself as you are, with what you already have. Don’t change for the sake of change. Happy 2022! Make this a year for you.
Andrea runs the AWA Listen Ladies Group, providing confidential support for members at regular meetings. listenladies@awasingapore.org
AWA Magazine Jan/Feb 2022
7
