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Six Ways for Self Development in the New Year: How to Feel Like Your Real Self in 2023

A positive mindset can take you far in life. As the curtains of  2022 are drawn closed, a year that has embodied growth and challenge for the world, we think about what lies next. What goals can we set for ourselves for the next year? How can we become more aware, both emotionally and physically? How can we become a better version of ourselves? Now is the perfect time to answer these burning questions and focus on self-development to ensure that we bring our best selves into 2023. 

Self-development is the process of improving oneself. It encompasses all aspects of who you are, including physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as your relationships and lifestyle habits. The goal of self-development is not about “fixing” yourself or becoming someone else; instead, it is about developing yourself in a way that allows you to thrive exactly as yourself. Here are six ways you can work on yourself now and prosper in 2023. 

Identify and Start a New Productive Habit

A wooden road sign with two boards pointing opposite directions saying "old habits" and "new habits"

James Clear, the author of the bestselling book Atomic Habits, says, ‘All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single tiny decision.’ The preceding quote simply calls for action. The best thing to do is to identify an area or an activity that interests you and then start incorporating it into your daily life. It can be gardening, swimming, writing, spending time with family, exercising, or learning a valuable skill. 

Once you have identified what you need to do, start acting on it. To begin, set aside 30 minutes every day for this new activity and do it consistently for the next 30 days. Slowly, your mind and body will open up to this activity and you will have formed a new productive habit that you have always hoped for. This new habit can become a part of your routine and can be a tremendous boost to your well-being. Focus on the process, show up every day, be decisive and before you know it, you will enter 2023 with a new productive habit.

Embrace Discomfort

A comfort zone is a place where all your dreams die. If you are truly serious about changing your life, you should be prepared to bid farewell to your comfort zone- at least for some of the time. Giving up your comfort zone doesn’t imply that you stop eating what you love or leaning into ease entirely, but embrace all the difficulties that come your way. Sitting on your couch, hoping for a miracle to happen, is a fool’s errand and will only damage your future more than anything. 

Do not panic or run away at the first sight of any discomfort, instead hold your ground, try to find a solution to the problem, adapt, and then embrace the change. If you cannot stand up to the discomforts in your life, you will never grow and will be stuck in a vicious cycle of hopelessness. It’s better to face challenges and grow rather than run away from them. This will also help you grow trust in yourself. The more you can withstand discomfort and stay with yourself through it, the more resilient you will become.

Learn the Art of Saying ‘No’

A person holds up a card that says "It's ok to say no"

It’s a herculean task to stand up to someone and utter the word ’No.’ We end up agreeing to others’ requests, keeping our interests in the background, and fall into a rut of despair or disappointment afterward. Sometimes it becomes extremely difficult to decide and we give in without a second thought. If you have ever felt guilt by saying no to someone, it’s time to let that guilt go.

There is health in not being a part of something that doesn’t suit your interest. And if you have failed to say no to people, you can start practicing it by saying no to minor tasks in your life that you’re not comfortable with and then drift onto the bigger tasks. This brings self-confidence and makes you more comfortable in your skin. By saying no, you will identify your likes and dislikes, which will only bring you closer to your true identity. 

Prioritize Self Care

Your primary aim should be to enter 2023 in good health and shape. If you do not have a healthcare or a wellness routine, it’s time to adopt one. This includes ample sleep, regular exercise, a healthy meal, and taking vitamins and natural supplements for the overall welfare. FAB CBD offers oils, tinctures, capsules, gummies, and gels that can become a part of your self-care routine. There are many ways through which you can bring CBD products into your everyday life. 

Our CBD Topical Cream is silky, light, and non-greasy, which will tend to your tired and sore muscles after a hard day at work while our Salve is perfect for anyone who is looking to amp up their daily wellness. If you’re looking for a well-rounded self-care routine, do not forget to tend to your hobbies, friendships, spend time with loved ones, and have regular checkups with your physician. All this will support your mental well-being and keep you at peace with your surroundings. The idea here is to formulate a self-care plan and adhere to it as the new year unfolds.

Do Not Repeat Your Mistakes

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” This well known quote will help you break a pattern before you root it too deeply into 2023. It’s time to reflect upon your past mistakes and learn from them. Do not overcomplicate your life by walking down the same path again without acknowledging and rectifying your missteps. Go to the root of those failures, find out the cause, and work on them. If you continue to make the same mistakes again and again, it will turn into a habit and you will continue to fail. Learn from your experience and then do the next thing differently. It will lead to a positive result which will help you grow. Make new memories and not new mistakes in 2023. 

Practice the Art of Mindfulness

A smooth stone sits upon white sand that has been raked into soothing designs

Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. Practicing mindfulness can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and negative thinking, and can help to increase your self-awareness and acceptance. To practice mindfulness, it is important to take some time each day to focus on your breath, meditate, and tune in to your senses. Yoga is another way of practicing mindfulness. Both these tools will help you gain clarity and will clear your mind for positive thoughts. After all, a healthy body needs a healthy mind to prosper.

To New Beginnings in 2023: Final Thoughts

Self-development is an important part of living a happy and fulfilled life, and it can have a positive impact on all aspects of your life and the lives of those around you. Remember, self-development is a journey, and it takes time and effort. Most of us get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and fail to work on ourselves with compassion and patience. You don’t always get to choose what comes your way, but you can choose how to act on it. The important thing is to be patient, stay focused, and celebrate your successes along the way. It’s time to seize control of our bodies and minds in a world that seems to take them away from us with frightening ease. With dedication and perseverance, you can become more of who you really are, and enjoy being you in 2023.