Resetting For The New Year

As we inch closer to the end of the  year, it’s apparent that many of us  are running on fumes. Whether it’s a  coffee chat, a quick office catch-up,  or a casual conversation with friends, there’s a common thread in our  discussions: exhaustion. 

The relentless swirl of work demands,  economic pressures, and social upheavals has  left us feeling more drained than ever, casting  a shadow of collective fatigue and uncertainty  over the future. 

But as we soak up the warmer months and  long days, we’re given a moment to pause and  reflect. The turn of the year provides a natural  opportunity to reset – to reassess how we live, work, and take care of ourselves, and ultimately  to move from simply surviving to truly thriving.

Before we dive into strategies for resetting and  thriving, let’s unpack why so many of us feel  this way in the first place. The exhaustion we  feel isn’t just due to some personal failing. It’s  also symptomatic of larger societal forces. 

WHY AM I SO TIRED? 

For years, burnout has been a growing  issue, but the pandemic years worsened it  considerably. Research conducted in the wake  of COVID-19 has revealed a significant rise in  self-reported symptoms of burnout, including  chronic stress, emotional fatigue, and a sense  of detachment from work. 

In fact, Microsoft’s 2022 Work Trend Index found that Australian workers experienced  higher rates of burnout than their global  counterparts.1 Around 62% of Australian  workers reported feeling burned out,  compared to the global average of 48%. The  situation was even worse for managers, with 66% of Australian managers grappling with  burnout, compared to 53% globally.[1] 

Much of this stress stems from the  increasingly blurry line between work and personal life. With technological  advancements, employees are more accessible  than ever, and often expected to be available  outside of traditional hours. This constant  connection has led to an ‘always on’ culture,  where work spills over into personal time. 

Recognising this, the Australian Parliament  recently passed a Fair Work Bill amendment  that grants employees the ‘right to disconnect’  from their employers outside of work hours.[2]  But this is only one piece of the puzzle.  

Workers also report feeling overwhelmed by  constant distractions – emails, notifications,  and an overload of meetings. While hybrid  working arrangements have offered some  relief, they’ve been tempered by what’s now  dubbed ‘productivity paranoia’ – the fear  among employers that workers might not  be doing enough when not physically in the  office. This paranoia has created a need for a  broader cultural shift if we’re to adapt to the  changing world of work in a sustainable way. 

THE ECONOMIC SQUEEZE 

The invisible weight of financial stress is  another major contributor to the pervasive  sense of exhaustion. Rising living costs, coupled with stagnant wages, mean many  Australians are working harder for less. 

According to the Australian Bureau of  Statistics, real wages in 2024 declined by  2.5%, while the cost of living increased  between 3.3% and 6.5%, depending on  the household.[3]  Employee households, in particular, have been hit hard by this  economic squeeze. This financial strain  leaves little room for rest, recovery, or even  hope for improvement. 

What’s particularly damaging is the mental  toll of financial instability. It erodes self-worth  and can lead to sleepless nights, anxiety and  depression. Compounding this is the sense of  shame that often comes with financial struggles,  which prevents many from seeking help. As  more Australians feel this pinch, it’s becoming  a widespread, yet under-discussed contributor  to the country’s mental health crisis. 

GLOBAL EVENTS AND UNCERTAINTY

It’s not just personal or financial struggles  that wear us down. Political instability,  environmental crises, and social unrest also  play significant roles in shaping our collective  mental health.  

Australia, in particular, has felt the weight  of global events. The devastating bushfires  of 2019–2020, followed by the COVID-19  pandemic, left many Australians grappling with anxiety and stress. More than half of  the population reported experiencing mental  health distress during the pandemic, and that  sense of vulnerability has lingered. 

Climate change remains a persistent worry  for Australians, as the country continues to  face extreme weather events like droughts,  floods, and fires. These events not only wreak financial havoc but also take a heavy  emotional toll, particularly on regional and  agricultural communities. 

Social unrest, too, has added to the strain.  Movements such as #MeToo, debates  around immigration, and the ongoing fight  for LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual,  transgender, intersex, queer/ questioning, asexual) rights have brought long-simmering  tensions to the surface. For many Australians  – particularly those from marginalised  communities – these issues are not just  political but deeply personal, heightening  feelings of stress and uncertainty. 

ENVY, ANGER, AND FEAR  ON SOCIAL MEDIA 

Adding to this cocktail of stress is the  omnipresence of social media. Platforms  that should foster connection often amplify  the negative. The algorithms driving these  platforms are designed to keep us engaged  by pushing emotionally charged content,  which often provokes outrage or anger.  

The impact is clear. Prolonged exposure  to this flood of negative news and social  comparison leads to heightened anxiety, envy,  and anger. A Washington Post investigation  found that posts that evoked anger were more  likely to be shared, creating a vicious cycle  where outrage becomes the primary emotion  driving social media engagement. [4] 

In recent years, ‘hustle culture’ has dominated  these social media platforms, celebrating  overwork and portraying success as the  reward for relentless grind. While ambition is  admirable, this glorification of achievement at  any cost can leave us feeling like we are never  good enough and constantly depleted. 

RESETTING: FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING 

Given all these pressures, it’s time to consider  how we can adapt. Rather than just aiming to  survive, we need to shift our mindset toward  thriving. But how do we do that? How can we reframe our approach to life and work in  a way that prioritises our mental wellbeing? 

One powerful psychological concept that  can help is psychological flexibility, a core  principle of Acceptance and Commitment  Therapy (ACT). This involves adapting to life’s challenges while staying true to our core  values. It’s about accepting that while stress and  discomfort are inevitable, we can still act in  ways that align with what truly matters to us. 

In practice, this might mean taking a  step back from the relentless pursuit of  productivity and instead focussing on what  gives your life meaning. It might mean setting  boundaries at work, saying no to requests  that don’t align with your values, or carving  out time for activities that nourish you –  whether that’s spending time with loved ones,  engaging in creative hobbies, taking a walk in  nature, or simply taking a moment to breathe. 

MINDFULNESS AND  THE ART OF TUNING IN 

While mindfulness has become a buzzword,  its impact is real. By tuning into the present  moment, we can become more aware of our  thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, allowing  us to respond to challenges with greater  clarity and calm. 

Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh said,

By paying attention to our inner world, we  create the possibility for change. Instead of  running on autopilot, we can choose actions  that are aligned with our values. 

Incorporating mindfulness into your daily  routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple  practices like mindful breathing, journaling,  or using apps like Headspace or Insight Timer  can make a significant difference in reducing  stress and improving mental clarity. 

CLARIFYING VALUES,  SETTING GOALS, TAKING ACTION

One of the strongest predictors of wellbeing is  living in alignment with your values. Values are  our guiding principles, the internal compass  that directs our decisions and actions. By  identifying and living according to our values,  we give our lives purpose and direction. 

As you set goals for the year ahead, think  about which areas of life – health, family,  career, finances, faith – are most important  to you, and align your goals with your  core values. Each of us has our own values  blueprint, for example you may resonate  with values such as achievement, freedom,  power, curiosity, adventure, or safety. 

As former First Lady of the United States,  Michelle Obama has said,

As you clarify your most important life values, it becomes easier to identify actions that do not  serve you and to hold your boundaries with  clarity and confidence. When goals are value driven, they become more meaningful and  motivating, even when the going gets tough. 

BUILDING RESILIENCE AND PRACTISING SELF-COMPASSION

Resilience is about more than just toughing  it out. It’s about how we respond to adversity,  how we adapt to change, and how we recover  from setbacks. One of the most effective tools  for building resilience is self-compassion. 

Self-compassion means treating yourself  with kindness, care, and understanding –  especially during tough times. It’s recognising  that struggles and failures are a normal part  of life, and offering yourself the same grace  you’d extend to a close friend. 

In practice, self-compassion could mean  giving yourself permission to rest when you’re  overwhelmed, speaking kindly to yourself  after a mistake, or reaching out for support  when needed. It’s about recognising your  humanity and accepting that it’s okay not to  have everything figured out. 

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY 

While individual resilience is key, community support is just as vital. We are  social creatures, and our wellbeing is deeply  tied to our relationships. Studies consistently  show that strong social connections are one  of the most powerful predictors of happiness, health, and longevity. [5] 

As we enter a new year, prioritising relationships – both personal and professional – will be key to maintaining mental sustainability.  This might mean spending more time with  loved ones, joining new social groups, or  fostering a supportive culture at work. 

As Adam Goodes, former Australian Rules  football player and Indigenous rights advocate,  has said, 

As you deepen your connections with people  in your life, you may also find yourself  feeling the need to step back from social  media. The relentless exposure to distressing  news, coupled with the pressure of social  comparison, can take a toll on your mental  health and wellbeing. Instead, consider  shifting your focus towards spending more  time offline – immersing yourself in the  present moment. 

Prioritise activities that you genuinely care  about, whether it’s engaging in meaningful  conversations, pursuing a hobby, or simply  enjoying time with loved ones. By making this shift, you can foster stronger, more fulfilling  relationships and create a sense of balance  and peace that social media often disrupts. 

LOOKING AHEAD 

As we face the challenges of modern life, it’s  important to remember that we have more  control over our health and wellbeing than  we often realise. By taking steps to tune into  ourselves, clarify our values, set meaningful goals, and build resilience through compassion  and connection, we can create a life that’s not  just about getting by – but about thriving. 

Consider this your invitation to press reset, to prioritise what truly matters, and  to empower yourselves to live your best,  most fulfilling life.