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Do you get January blues?

by | Jan 13, 2025 | Coaching, Emotional Intelligence, Goal Setting, Relationships (Self and Others)

Welcome Back and Happy New Year!
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Taking Key Steps Together Through 2025

I’m not someone who bursts into the new year full of excitement and resolutions. The hype around a “fresh start” doesn’t resonate with me. Instead, I cherish the calm and simplicity of the holidays, where I can reflect, recharge, and enjoy time with loved ones. For me, January isn’t the big, shiny beginning it’s often made out to be. It’s just the next chapter in the ongoing story of my life, where I aim to show up intentionally—one day at a time.

Here are the Key Steps that help me focus on what truly matters and empower me to…

‘be the difference that makes the difference.’

  1. Feel What You Feel
    The weeks between mid-December and early January are some of my favourites—filled with family, friends, and meaningful moments. But as much as I love my work (and I do—if you’re reading this, you probably know that too), I still feel a pang of sadness when the holidays end.
    S
    aying goodbye to our adult children and another Christmas can leave me feeling blue. I used to think something was wrong with me for feeling this way. Now, I embrace it as a sign of love and gratitude. 

    Here’s what I’ve learned:
    Feelings aren’t your identity. You might feel sad, but you are not sad.
    Feelings pass. Give them space, and they’ll move on naturally.When I allow myself to sit with my emotions, I’m better able to move forward. I do this by making sure I allow myself to… 

  2. Ease Into the New Year
    I make it a habit to ease gently into January. After the holidays, I give myself a few slower days to adjust before diving back into work. Sure, there are times when I have to hit the ground running, but most of the time, I honour my need for a softer transition—and it makes all the difference.
    That little voice in my head sometimes urges me to “go faster,” but I’ve learned to challenge it. Productivity isn’t about speed; it’s about sustainability.

    Pro tip: Give yourself permission to ease into your year, even if the world around you feels rushed. 
  3. Own Every Year as YOUR YEAR, Own Every Day as YOUR Day
    I often hear people declare, “This year is my year!” with the expectation that it will be nothing but smooth sailing. But life doesn’t work that way. There will be highs and lows, joys and challenges. The key is to own every day as your day—the good ones, the tough ones, and everything in between. 

    Here’s how:
    Focus on what you can control.
    Let go of what you can’t control.
    Respond to life’s events with intention and resilience.
    Don’t wait to start or stop anything, decide and do it now.When you take ownership of your days, you take ownership of your year—and your life.

I wish you a year ahead filled with lessons, love and growth and the courage to take the Key Steps that enable you to…

‘be the difference that makes the difference.’

And I hope we get to take some of those Key Steps together. Let us know how we can support you by reaching out to me or collette@keysteps.co.za.

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Namaste,

 

NOTE: The information in my blog may be freely shared and re-used in any online or offline publication, provided it is accompanied by the following credit line: This was written by Dr Sharon King Gabrielides, and originally appeared in her free bi-weekly  ‘Key Steps Food for Thought Blog’ available on the Key Steps website.

Dr Sharon King Gabrielides, EQ Expert, Founder and CEO

Sharon is a dynamic facilitator, speaker and executive coach with over 25 years’ experience in leadership development and organisational transformation. Her PhD thesis contributed a framework for holistic and sustainable leadership development that was published by Rutgers University in the USA. She is faculty of numerous business schools and highly sought-after by leading corporates because she works hand-in-hand with them to create sustainable results and long-term success. In 2020, Sharon was inducted into the Educators Hall of Fame, which is a lifetime achievement award, recognising excellence and her contribution to the field.

Sharon is one of only three women in South Africa to hold the title of Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) – the Oscar of the speaking industry. She is also a COMENSA Master Practitioner (CMP), a qualified Modern Classroom Certified Trainer (MCCT™) and an accredited Global Virtual Speaker. Sharon is also a registered Education, Training and Development Practitioner (ETDP), holds an Honours degree in Psychology and practices as an NLP master practitioner.

Most important to Sharon is that she has become known for her genuinely caring manner, practical and transformational approach, and for providing valuable tools and that allow people to take Key Steps to really… ‘be the difference that makes the difference.’

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