Less Is More

“... be gentle with yourself as you look at the year ahead ...”

We have arrived in January, a month that blows in on the collective sigh of weary people exhausted from the frenzy of the holiday season.

Traditionally, January is the time for fresh beginnings. It’s a time of reset, reflection, and restart. Thus, I suspect many are working on New Year’s Resolutions, challenging themselves be more, to do better, to act better, and to be better.

Though well intentioned, the focus on lofty resolutions can create stress, especially when social media, magazines, and programs tout the newest resolution trend and highlight those who are seemingly crushing their goals. These can encourage us to set big goals, create new intentions, journal daily, practice gratitude, embody a word for the year, or develop a new mantra. All these things are great, in theory. It truly is good for us to examine where we are at and where we

want to go - this is the cornerstone of growth. However, it can be detrimental when these goals get too big or comparison-driven, and thus can cause stress, discouragement, and even depression when we can’t meet them.

This year, I encourage you to be gentle with yourself as you look at the year ahead. There is one simple idea I propose for this New Year, one that may seem antithetical but has the potential to be powerful. The idea is less. Most of the time, we take the attitude of “go big or go home”, which often sets us up for unrealistic expectations and eventual failure. So, what if this year, we agree to embrace the idea of less?

Let’s resolve to be less reactive. When the moment feels big and overwhelming, remember to step back, breath, and think before reacting.

Let’s be less worried. This means letting go of what we can’t control. We must remember to differentiate between what is our responsibility and what is not.

“... be gentle with yourself as you look at the year ahead ...”

Let’s be less stressed. Say no to the things that do not bring you joy and yes to what fills your cup. Embrace those things wholeheartedly. Give less time to overthinking, overcommitting, and overdoing.

Let’s be less commercial. Be thoughtful in what you purchase. Remember, what takes up your space also takes up your mind, consciously or unconsciously.

Let’s be less judgmental. Each person is fighting a battle we know nothing about. Choose to give space for differences. Make room for kindness and aim for understanding and connection. At the very least, keep your judgements to yourself.

The underlying theme of less is to pause and to think. Change comes down to choices. Epictetus said, “Make beautiful choices and you become beautiful.” Modern times echo this sentiment. In the new holiday movie “Red One”, Dwayne Johnson’s character says, “We choose who we want to be, with big decisions and little ones, and every one of them matters.” The one thing we always seem to have less of but actually need more of is time. So, lastly, let us be less rushed. Give yourself more time to make positive choices, to keep trying, and to persevere.

Finally, let us just be less. Let go of the worries, intrusive thoughts, overthinking, doubts, fears, shame, and guilt. Let’s unburden ourselves from the culture of excess and extremes and embrace who we are - we are good enough as we areand move through 2025 with less restrictions. Less, in turn, will lead us to more; more fulfillment, more beauty, more contentment, more joy, more happiness.

Embrace the idea of less in 2025. Be less reactive, less fearful, less worried, less restrictive, less stressed, less judgmental, less commercial, less self-critical, and less rushed. I encourage you to find your own idea of what less means and embody it. Give yourself time, grace, and space to make good choices. By doing this, we can all make 2025 be a year of more

Safe Harbor Coronado provides comprehensive mental health services to youth and families in Coronado. Through a range of programs and counseling services, Safe Harbor Coronado empowers individuals to build resilience and emotional well-being while fostering a stigma-free environment for help-seeking behaviors. Safe Harbor’s programs are available to all members of the Coronado community, regardless of financial means. For more information about Safe Harbor Coronado, their programs and services, visit www.safeharborcoronado.org.

“January Is The Time For Fresh Beginnings”