Jamaicans urged not to stress about the new year

As the clock ticked towards midnight, signalling the start of a new year, many people held their breath, praying for a miraculous shift.

But when reality sets in and January still looks much like December, disappointment and anxiety quietly step in. Life coach Carla Moore said the brief moment between years can trigger anxiety for many people "because it makes us aware of time".

"That change from 2025 to 2026 reminds us that time is moving. You start thinking about health, family, relationships, love, marriage," she said.

"Everything feels urgent, and we feel we should start now. That's why churches are packed, gyms are full, and resignation letters are drafted. We don't want to waste another moment." Despite the belief that life should suddenly change as quickly as the calendar, Moore cautions against that expectation.

"Between December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026, is one second. You can inhale in 2025 and exhale in 2026. Change is not a one-second thing. It's hours, weeks, and sometimes, years. These things take time."

However, she noted that while the energy of a new year can inspire action, intention matters more than pressure. Still, she admitted that another major source of pressure is social media, a space she describes as complicated.

"On one hand, social media can make us feel like we belong. On the other hand, it gives us endless opportunities for comparison," Moore said. "We see a couple, and they offer us one version of their relationship. After it ends, you learn what's really happening behind the scenes, you realise it's just a 'slice' of their life."

She added that comparing oneself often leaves persons feeling inadequate

"Everybody's belly is flat, everybody's man has money, everybody's girl cooks at night, their children are well-behaved," she said. But instead of measuring progress through online comparison, Moore encouraged persons to look inward.

"[Ask yourself], 'What can I do now that I couldn't do before? What am I even slightly better at than before? What am I closer to than before?'" she said.

She added that acknowledging small changes are just as important.

"Maybe last year you were a workaholic, and you linked up with friends three times. People might say three out of 365 is nothing, but the year before that you didn't go out at all. Three is better than zero. That is growth," she reasoned.

As the year unfolds, Moore urged persons to set realistic goals, grounded in self-awareness, adding that goals should be broken into achievable tasks. For example, she said, someone who hates their job but is the family's breadwinner may not be able to quit immediately. So instead of making a drastic move, she suggested practical steps such as joining a professional association, taking a short course to fill skill gaps, or updating a LinkedIn profile.

"All of those things move you toward a new goal without jumping out of the frying pan into hot water," she said.

Moore also reminded persons that there is no magical switch for transformation and urged people to give themselves time.

"[Last year] was just hours ago. We are still digesting Christmas dinner," she said, encouraging people to allow themselves to go through what she calls "winter".

"Winter means slow down, turn inward, reflect, let your roots grow strong quietly, grow into hibernation," she explained. "Plan and use the wisdom you gained in the last 365 days and all the days of your life. In spring, you blossom. I assure you, if you pick three things and focus on them, they will bear fruit."

For Moore, a new year represents both closure and possibility. "We are closer to endings and closer to new beginnings," she said, urging people to "take time with yourself and allow yourself to talk back to you".