New Year, Who Dis?

I don’t know how many times I have said “this time, I will get it right”, but this time – definitely – I will get it right!

This right after my New Year romp around all the hip and happening spots on New Year’s Eve.

The Christmas and New Year holiday period offers itself up as a time for uninhibited, guilt-free indulgence, and it seems that every time the New Year rolls around, the universe hands us a shiny, blank notebook with the words “Go and fix your life, please!”

It’s exciting. It’s motivating. It’s also mildly terrifying.

Because let’s be real – how many of us have declared “New Year, New Me!” only to find ourselves three weeks into January, bingeing on leftover Christmas cookies and pretending a walk to the fridge counts as cardio.

But this year promises to feel different, doesn’t it? There’s an energy in the air that says “enough is enough”.

No More Half-Measures

Let’s talk focus. If you’re anything like me, your brain sometimes feels like a browser with 74 tabs open, with none of them loading properly.

The result? Procrastination disguised as productivity – yes, reorganising your spice rack instead of writing proposals also counts.

This year, though, we’re streamlining. Focus is all about clarity – knowing what you want and going after it with purpose. Make a list. Break it down. Prioritise. And for the love of all things progressive, close some of those tabs.

Because here’s the truth: no one is coming to do the work for you.

You want to start a side hustle? Write the business plan. You want to get fit? Lace up your trainers and move. You want to be happier? Start by saying “no” to things that drain you. This is the year we stop living on autopilot and start taking charge.

Fuel for the Fire

Of course, none of this is possible if you’re running on empty. Enter: healthy eating.

Now, before you roll your eyes and mutter something about green smoothies and kale chips, hear me out. Eating healthy doesn’t mean giving up flavour, fun or the occasional cheat meal. It just means being intentional about what you put on your plate.

Think of food as fuel for your body and your brain. Want more energy? Load up on fruits, veggies and whole grains. Want to stay sharp? Healthy fats like avocados, nuts and olive oil have your back. Want to feel less like a sloth and more like a superhero? Ditch the junk food (most of the time) and watch your body thank you.

And because I know someone’s thinking it: yes, you can still have chocolate. Just maybe not the entire bar in one sitting.

Also, reconsider the high-sugar soft drinks that are your daily companions. Trust me on this, I am a convert, from two litres a day to one every blue moon. Best decision ever.
Falling Off the Wagon

No one – and I mean no one – goes through the year eating quinoa salads and hitting 10 000 steps every day.

Life happens. Birthdays happen. That irresistible smell from your favourite vetkoek lady’s stall at the corner will hit you! That’s okay.

The goal isn’t being perfect; it’s consistency. So, when you find yourself demolishing a bowl of chips while watching Netflix, don’t beat yourself up. Acknowledge it, laugh about it, and get back on track. Progress, not perfection, my friends.

Drive, Drive, Drive!

Finally, let’s talk drive.

Focus sets the direction, healthy eating keeps the engine running, but drive? Drive is the fuel injection that keeps you going when the road gets bumpy. It’s that voice in your head that says, “Keep pushing, you’ve got this,” even when you’d rather binge-watch old sitcoms and call it self-care.

Drive doesn’t come from nowhere, though. You have to feed it.

Surround yourself with people who inspire you. Celebrate small wins. Visualise your goals and remind yourself why you started. Because when you’re clear about your ‘why’, the ‘how’ gets a whole lot easier.

So, here’s to 2024: the year of focus, drive, and living life with flavour – both on and off the plate. Let’s do this!