The Myth of the "Fresh Start" (And Why We Love the Expression)
"Clean slate." "Fresh start." "New year, new me."
We hear these phrases everywhere in January, and there’s a reason we love them. The idea of a fresh start feels like a deep exhale. It offers us a momentary relief from the weight of our history, our mistakes, and the parts of ourselves we struggle with. It’s a psychological "reset button" that promises we can leave the heavy stuff behind.
Tending to What Came Up: Balancing the Past with Your Future
By mid-January, the initial rush of the new year often slows down, and the "dust" from the holidays finally begins to settle. This is usually when we start to notice the emotional residue—the lingering tension from a family comment, the fatigue from over-extending ourselves, or the old patterns that surfaced during the break.
Why Our Systems Resist Change: The Science of Staying
The first week of January usually comes with a lot of pressure to "change everything." But by the second week, many of us feel a familiar pull back toward our old habits. Often, we label this as a lack of willpower, but the reality is much more scientific: your body has a biological preference for what is familiar.
In therapy, we look at this through the lens of homeostasis. Your nervous system interprets "familiar" as "safe," even if that familiar pattern is actually painful or exhausting.
Making the Most of Benefit Rollovers: Planning Your Year in Therapy
Planning your year in therapy isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about making sure you have a reliable space to land before life gets overwhelming. It’s a way to ensure you have the support you need to stay grounded all year long. Instead of waiting for a crisis to book a session, consider these three practical steps to align therapy with the actual rhythm of your life….