Inside: New Starts for the New Year. Collaborative post.
The past year hasn’t been the most positive for the majority of us. The coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic has continued to make day to day life a little more difficult. Whether you’ve been worried about catching the virus, spreading the virus or have simply been impacted by the social distancing and isolation rules that have been implemented, chances are, you have your fingers crossed for the year ahead to be more positive.
Of course, we’re not in complete control of the circumstances of the times we’re living in. But you can control certain elements of your life and you may want to implement some positive changes in the upcoming twelve months to improve on your day to day existence. Here are some areas of focus that can help you on this journey!
A New Career
2021 posed a lot of problems for people’s careers. Many people found themselves losing work as a direct result of the pandemic. Perhaps they lost their work because the company they worked for collapsed. Maybe they were made redundant.
Many people were furloughed and simply realized, during that time away from the workplace, that their role just wasn’t for them. It’s not all too surprising, then, that a lot of people are planning on finding a new job for the new year. There are a few things that you should ask yourself before getting started on this journey to find a role that suits all of your needs and preferences.
- What industry do you want to work in? – do you want to stay in the industry you currently work in and simply move to another company or do you want to try something different completely? The first will generally be easier, as chances are you already have the relevant qualifications and experience to work your way up, but if you want to work in a new position, you should go for it too!
- Are you willing to retrain or study? – sometimes, heading back to higher education or taking specialised courses can help you to secure a position that you might not otherwise have been considered for. Are you willing to take the time to do this?
- Salary – how much do you want to earn in your new role? If you only rely on yourself and have no dependents, you could easily enter a low paying role to get your foot in the door of a new opportunity. However, if you have a mortgage, kids to pay for or other responsibilities, you may find that you need to secure a specific wage to be able to support your lifestyle.
A New Home
Considering living somewhere new in the new year? A move could make a positive new start, especially if there’s a specific reason for moving. Perhaps you’ve landed a new job that’s further afield and you want to make the commute shorter.
Maybe you want to live closer to family and friends. You might simply want to move to a nicer, safer or more enjoyable area. Ask yourself the following questions when house hunting to secure the right place the first time around:
- Location – where would you like to live? Do you need to be near public transport options or motorways? Do you want there to be specific amenities around? Would you like to be near social activities or specific schools for your little ones?
- Practicality – consider the costs of living in different properties before moving into them. How much work will go into the move? Will you need to renovate? Will you need to decorate? Will you need to switch to a renewable energy supplier? Make sure you’re willing to put in the work it might take to get a new home up to scratch.
- Size – once you know the area you want to live in and are sure you want to make the move, you can start house hunting. One of the most important factors regarding whether a property will suit you or not is size. How big does your home need to be? You may need a set number of bedrooms for a set number of people.
- Outdoor space – do you need outdoor space? Perhaps you have pets or kids who need outdoor areas to play and roam in safely. You might simply want a garden for yourself to have an enjoyable and private outdoor space to use during the warmer months of the year.
A New Hobby
The lockdown period of the pandemic made many people realise that there are actually a whole host of activities that they want to spend time enjoying. Before, many people associated hobbies with children, thinking of them as something that adults simply couldn’t fit into their schedule.
But if you find an activity that you particularly enjoy, you should take the time and effort to make sure that you get the chance to enjoy it. So, consider all of the different things that you want to try and make a little list. Then, you can give them a go and tick them off as you go through.
If you find something you’re committed to and want to continue, you can then commit to it! Whether that’s baking, a fitness class, reading, playing a musical instrument, learning a language or anything else – it should be a positive addition to your life!
New Relationships
It’s important to nurture existing relationships, but it’s also important to remember that it’s never too late to make new friends. Why not consider making some new friends this new year? Tying in to the point above, hobbies are a great way to meet new people with similar interests who you could really get on with for the long run! It’s just a matter of breaking the ice.
These are just a few different areas of focus that you might want to bring to the foreground in the new year. Hopefully, some will appeal to you and will make a positive difference to your day to day life going forward!