Who would have thought that 2020 would be a year that so many of us would look forward to being over!? There’s much anticipated hope and optimism for many when it comes to the new year.
If you are one of the people who might put a great deal of hope for the new year to be better, healthier, safer, more prosperous and happier, good for you!
1. The New Year optimist
Hope is a sign of good health! You may be more likely to plan positive things for this year and look forward to transitioning into the new year with an attitude that energizes you. Or maybe you will celebrate every good news and ignore the not so good news. You may be very confident about your abilities and your prospects and feel a sense of awe and excitement for what’s ahead.
2. The New Year cynic
On the other hand, if you are in the camp of people who are realistic or maybe even a bit cynical, and you tend to see many aspects that will not be so good about the new year such as the lack of clarity about how the new vaccine will do, or about when businesses will start to do better, or your own personal prospects for success and happiness, I’d also like to say good for you!
So what does any of this mean?
There is no right or wrong way to feel about the new year and no one has the authority on what people should experience when it comes to saying goodbye to 2020 and entering 2021.
If you are an optimist
For those of you who are very optimistic, you need to allow yourself the possibility that it may not exactly go as well as you think and that you will and can handle whatever happens. A healthy dose of the “worst case” scenario planning can help you overcome challenges when they arise. However, it is not natural for you to stay in the “worst case” scenario place, and you will soon bounce back to your state of bliss and celebration.
If you are a cynic
And for those of you who may take life very seriously, and have all the facts and numbers and who are very realistic (or maybe even pessimistic as some might say), a healthy dose of letting your hair down once in a while and allowing yourself to be part of celebrations (even if you think they are short-lived and foolish), will help you get back to your way of thinking with a hint of vicarious joy. So allow yourself to be surrounded by the optimists every once in a while.
What both the optimist and cynic can do at the start of 2021
Whether you are an optimist or a cynic, you can look at your current life as is, and reflect on various parts of your life that perhaps need some attention. However you choose to spend the new year, I welcome you to take time to reflect on where you are today. Take some time to reflect on your relationship with yourself, with your partner, with your children, and with work.
One or more of these areas may apply to you. It is also possible that you feel very satisfied in one aspect but feel completely overwhelmed or unsatisfied in other areas. That is ok. You can start here wherever you are. Download our free workbook which will help guide you through the most important parts of your life.
Dr. Ava Ghasemi (Holdich) is a licensed Psychologist with 11 years experience in the U.S., Canada and the Middle East. She has a practice of individual and couples therapy at the MapleTree Center in Dubai.
