You're Perfect Just As You Are

For lots of people, January 2nd marks the first day of the new year's resolutions. The first day of the diet or the savings plan or the vow to exercise at least 3 times a week. The shops are awash with gym gear and it feels like every other advert on the telly is about a diet plan or an exercise DVD. Everyone in the office is asking what your new year's resolution is and that box of Celebrations that you were digging through last week is suddenly deemed "indulgent".

The party season is well and truly over and suddenly it feels like you have to scrutinise every single part of yourself, highlighting your flaws and making plans to change them. You can't even have a little scroll on Instagram without being confronted with green juices and gym selfies making you feel guilty about laying on the sofa in your PJs.

Well, do you know what? I call bullshit. I'm here to tell you that you're absolutely perfect just as you are. You're intelligent and funny and clever and lovely and you don't need a new year's resolution to change any aspect of yourself.

you're perfect just as you are

If you feel like eating a bit more fruit and veg after a diet of carbs and cheese over Christmas, then that's just fine, but don't go starving yourself because you're trying to achieve some unrealistic idea of body perfection that the media has sold to you.

If you want to save some money or set yourself some work goals because you know it's the right thing for you, then do it. But don't feel like you need to become a #GirlBoss overnight just because it seems like everyone on Instagram is.

January is a hard enough month as it is. The Christmas comedown is lingering, the weather is rank and it's easy to feel lonely after spending December catching up with all of your favourite people. Don't torture yourself by piling on a load of restrictive resolutions too.

Instead, make this the month of self care and rest and looking after yourself. Eat vegetables, but don't beat yourself up about reaching for some comfort food too. Get out for a walk or a run if you fancy it, but if the weather has you wanting to hibernate inside, then that's okay too.

And always remember - the stuff you see on social media is only what people want you to see. It's the curated image. Don't feel like you need to change yourself or your life to conform to someone else's highlight reel.