Navigating the New Year with Carrot's Advice

As 2021 comes to an end the Carrot Editorial team have come together to share their best advice that you should take into 2022.

The new year is upon and during this time many reflect on what they have learnt this year. The past year was another emotional rollercoaster. Be thankful of those who have supported you through this year and made it bearable. Be proud of yourself and the progress you have made this year, congratulate yourself but examine where you need to grow further in the future. The Carrot Editorial Team share their best advice that we think you should take into 2022 from what we have learnt during 2021.

Mansi Vithlani – Editor-in-Chief

Stop with the self-betrayal

Self-betrayal is so much more common than we think and we have a tendency to betray ourselves in many ways, both big and small, in moments that we aware of and those that we aren’t. 2022 and onwards should be the time we stop doing things that we are uncomfortable with in order to please others. It is the year where we should stop neglecting ourselves to make other people happy and comfortable. An aspect that I have realised in 2021 is that I need to say ‘no’ more. Why should I say “yes” to something that I am not in interested in. Don’t say maybe if you want to say no. Fall in love with the process of becoming you and if that means saying no to people, situations, to small things to big things then do it. It is a natural desire to be accepted by others but remember that you are worthy of the same love that you give to others.

Jasmine Parker – Executive Editor

Be wary of the new year, new me trap

We should always be striving for self improvement, but make sure you think about what that really means to you. It’s so easy to get sucked into the world of green juices, daily workouts and diet foods, particularly with January diet culture, but you don’t need to do any of those things to be a better person. Instead, try writing out a list of your goals for 2022 or making a vision board filled with the things that you really want to accomplish, not the things you feel like you should do.

Anna Fox – Managing Editor

Cherish the moments with loved ones

Covid has robbed us of precious time with loved ones. We have made memories under one roof, exhausted box sets and board games and walked every inch of our neighbourhood. Ditch your phone and sack off social media and cherish every moment you spend with family and friends this coming year.

Claudia-Gabriela Scuturici – PR and Communications Director

Don’t be scared to do things alone

Even if you are a social butterfly, there are times when being alone is inevitable. You don’t have to wait for somebody else to do the things you want. Even if it seems weird or intimidating at the beginning, it is a great way to get to know yourself better. Be a solo-adventurer! Not only will you have lots of fun, you will also feel empowered. Don’t worry about what other people will think. Don’t worry about what people are going to say. They are usually so lost in their own thoughts, they don’t notice what’s happening around them. So do it! Check out that band none of your friends are into! Say with pride “Table for one, please!” Just do what makes you happy!

Aylin Aliev – CityNews Editor

Be Strategic and take time for yourself

It’s easy to get lost in the swamp of never-ending tasks, requests, assignments and obligations to the point where you feel consumed and can’t remember the last time you had time to process everything. Once you’ve reached that point, it’s important to remember that it is perfectly okay to stop and take a breather. Remember that everything is a marathon with short-sprints in between, there will be times where you need to bring your pace down and look around to see what you’ve achieved. Be strategic and organised with tasks you take onboard and don’t tire yourself out, this will be so helpful in the long-run! Have self-belief and perseverance.

Maeve Schaffer – Politics and Current Affairs Editor

One step at a time is still a marathon

New Years resolutions can be a good way to motivate yourself, but often they don’t work out. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Life is short! Focus your mind on long term goals, then look at what you can do in the short term to help them. Grand sweeping resolutions can be overwhelming. Try splitting it up into smaller, reachable milestones and it will feel doable! Like the old saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Kezia Reynolds – Arts and Culture Editor

Love yourself first

One of the biggest things I’ve learnt this year is that it’s okay to put yourself first. As an ex people-pleaser I’m going into the new year with my own goals and things I want to achieve. It’s pretty liberating to do what you want on your terms! Just remember you cannot be the friend, family member or partner you want to be unless you love and respect yourself first.

Inayah Shah – Opinion’s Editor

It’s okay if this year doesn’t live up to expectations

2020/21 has shown us bucket loads of disappointments, cancelled plans and how we can never predict where life will take us. It’s difficult to plan or know exactly what we’re doing from day to day recently and that’s okay. I had so much planned out these past two years and so much has been disrupted. It’s about how we adapt and how we learn to accept that things are out of our control. Never underestimate yourself, how much you’re capable of and your strength going into this year! Getting through another day, another week or even another year is something to celebrate. Celebrate yourself and most importantly, don’t beat yourself up if this year is another unpredictable one. Just do what you can to get through everyday, celebrate the little things and cherish the good moments.

Becky Gelder – Head of Social Media

Not everything can go as planned – and that’s okay

One of the most important things I learned this year (and am still trying to learn!), is that it’s okay for things to happen differently to how you had planned them. I’m a big fan of organisation and planning, so when things don’t happen how I thought they would it throws off the rest of my week. The past year has really taught me that it is completely okay for plans to change, and that the whole ‘one door opens as another one closes’ saying is actually really true – it’s all about keeping yourself busy and pursuing things you find interesting. Most importantly, try to take a step back to appreciate what you have achieved every now and then, rather than focusing on what you may have missed out on.

Alessandra Iellamo – Social Media Manager

We can’t control what will happen but we can control the way we respond to it

2021 has taught me many important lessons for sure. As we approach another new year I want to remind myself that it’s okay if things don’t go to plan and that it’s okay to stop and take a deep breath for a moment. As I look back on my year, there were times when things didn’t turn out the way I wanted, but I chose to have a positive mindset about it and kept going, which is something I will definitely try to do again in the future. Remember that there will be plenty of other chances in the future, even better ones! If something didn’t happen it’s probably because it wasn’t meant to happen. 2021 you’ve been tough, but you made us grow so much and made us more resilient.

Yoga Barrathwaj – Head of Design

Do the things you are afraid to do

Life is unpredictable and we do things to keep us safe, calm and happy. But there comes a point when we miss the chance to take some risks and do the things that we really want to do without being afraid of the outcome. We never know when this point comes around so this year, I’m going to make a big decision and do something that scares the sh*t out of me. I hope you will do the same. It can be as big as moving to a new city or as small as changing your wallpaper. Just do it.

Eleana Ntagia – Social Media Manager

Take on a new hobby you enjoy and stick to it

As everyone has mentioned 2020/21 have definitely been challenging years. Many of us including myself have picked up or discovered new hobbies. Realistically it’s hard to juggle life, work and have hobbies. However, in the year find something you enjoy doing and stick to it! Whether you are doing it by yourself or with a friend the benefits of breaking routine will help you experience less burnout and have a more positive experience in your everyday life. You will create new memories without realising, it keeps you open to new ideas and it will provide a social outlet. Doing something you love will fuel a rush of excitement and joy.

Nicolas Ng – Executive Head of Design

Stay curious

The last two and a bit years have been a confining and claustrophobic experience in many ways and it’s easy to get stuck in thinking that the world has become unchanging and static. I had, at least. It might be because I’m studying journalism but keeping an open mind and constantly asking questions is something that I am going to be working hard on over the next year, to make the world seem a little bigger if nothing else.