New Year, New Me?

Welcome to Life Unsorted – aka my corner of the internet where nothing is figured out, everything is mildly chaotic, and I overshare so you don’t have to feel like the only one winging adulthood and pretending it’s all “part of the plan”.

Today’s topic: The New Year.

That magical time of year that promises a whole new you, a fresh start, a million resolutions, and – for reasons I still don’t fully understand – a sudden urge to cut out carbs, alcohol, sugar and joy.

In theory, the New Year is a clean slate. A chance to reinvent yourself, become your “best self”, wake up at 6am, journal, hydrate properly and finally start that new diet you absolutely won’t mention by mid-February.

And while I’m not against those ideas… they’re just not quite what I’m planning on planning or doing this year.

So here are my thoughts on the New Year, and what I actually plan to take into it. Do whatever you want with them – use them as inspiration, judge them silently, screenshot them, or completely ignore them. Honestly, I won’t take it personally!

1. Exercise (but for the right reasons… mostly)

This year, I want to reintroduce strength training gently. Casually. In a way that doesn’t take over my entire personality. I know how good it is for my future self – stronger body, better joints, fewer problems when I’m older and not forgetting being able to confidently carry my own suitcase! I also really want to approach it as something I’m doing for me, rather than purely aesthetic reasons. That said… if a few aesthetic improvements happen along the way, I will absolutely be noticing.

Morning walks are another non-negotiable. I’ve been doing them more recently and they genuinely set me up for the day – fresh air, movement, a smug sense of productivity before most people have opened their emails. The only issue is the part where I have to actually get out of bed. A small but significant hurdle.

And then there’s a slightly rogue thought I’ve been having: I want to swim. I don’t know where this came from, but it feels very sensible and adult. It’s great cardio, low impact, and crucially, it does not involve running through the dark in the cold at 7am. At this stage it’s just a thought… but an oddly appealing one.

2. Planning (aka craving some structure)

I’m also keen to introduce more planning into my work life. You know that feeling when you start a new job and you look calm, but internally you’re just treading water and hoping no one asks too many questions? That’s me. I’d love to feel more on top of things, less reactive, and slightly less like I’m winging it every single day.

3. Friendships (choosing who chooses me)

Because of school, university and the nature of my work, I have friends – but not loads of local ones. Which means friendships take effort. Planning. Travel. Commitment. And that’s something I genuinely want to make more time for.

However… there are also people in my life where it feels like I’m always the one reaching out. Suggesting plans. Checking in. Only to be met with silence or a reply five business days later. And I think I’ve finally accepted that those people probably don’t need to come with me into this next chapter.

I read a quote recently – and I’m really not a quote person – but this one hit:

“Choose people who choose you.” – Jay Shetty

As you move into your mid-twenties, friendships change. People drift, priorities shift, and you start realising that effort should go both ways. I’m still figuring it out, but I can’t help feeling that letting go of one-sided friendships is actually a pretty healthy move – even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

4. Self-care (the boring but effective kind)

This isn’t the year of face masks, perfect skincare routines, or giving up alcohol and becoming a new woman. For me, self-care this year is about balance – and doing the unglamorous things that quietly improve my life.

I was listening to Grace Beverley’s podcast recently and she spoke about how sometimes self-care is doing the things that don’t feel like self-care in the moment, but massively help your future self…

Doing the hard tasks at work. Having the awkward conversations. Sorting the things you’ve been avoiding. Because once those are done, you can actually relax – without the constant background noise of “I really should be doing something right now”. Less avoidance. More follow-through. More peace.

5. Travel (because of course)

Being a seasonaire means one thing is guaranteed: I love travel. And while this year feels more settled, I’m really excited about what 2026 could look like. I already have a vague travel vision board in my head, with the Dolomites firmly at the top of the list. The hiking. The fresh air. The relaxed pace. The good food. The good wine. The unreal views. It feels like the perfect mix of active and calm – which is apparently my entire personality now.

I’d also love to do some trips with my girlfriends. A city break, a beach trip, maybe even a ski trip – I’m open. I never did the big boozy girls’ holiday when I was younger and I have zero desire to start now. But quality time, shared experiences, and long chats over good food? That’s very much my vibe.

So… New Year, New Me?

Not really. This feels less like a reinvention and more like a gentle reset. New Year, Same Me – just slightly more intentional and marginally more organised. I’m not setting unrealistic goals, I’m not becoming a different person overnight, and I’m definitely not pretending I have everything figured out.

I’m just trying to move my body in ways that feel good, plan enough to feel calm, choose people who actually choose me, and do things that future me will quietly thank me for.

Life remains unsorted. I’m just learning to live in it a bit better.

Lots of love xoxo