I am aware that while some people are feeling fabulous and excited about the year ahead, others are overwhelmed, anxious and even despondent. Now is a good time to reach out to your friends and family, your work colleagues and community to remind yourself and them that our true value is measured, not in Rands and cents, but in love, care and kindness.

At this time of the year life can feel a bit overwhelming. The holidays have upset our balance and given us time to think, or rethink our purpose, yet when we return to real life with its multiple expectations and stresses, it’s hard to translate this need for change into a tangible plan. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, rudderless, or even completely hopeless and depressed.

In my experience two things can help. The first is routine. This can be a routine you set for yourself, or the routine of work, school or even your church. There is a comfort in settling into a rhythm, just as we breathe in and out, or our heart beats a constant rhythm.

The second is to create what psychologists call ‘agency’: having a sense of control of your life. There are many different ways to do this, but for me the most helpful are:

1. Choose who influences your thinking. We are very influenced by the people around us – their opinions and their energy. Make a decision to stay close to positive people and away from the negative.
2. Stay physical. Exercise releases feel-good hormones and helps us feel strong and virtuous. Remember that 5 minutes of exercise is better than no minutes – and maybe keep a record to see how you progress.
3. Eat mindfully. We are what we eat, and drink, so make a choice to do so in a way that is good for you.
4. Become a student. You might think of signing up for a course, but more than that, if you cultivate the attitude of a life-long learner, you will stay open to new ideas. This will allow a gentle response to your mistakes as simply being part of your learning journey in life.

Master your emotions. The only thing in life that we are truly in control of is our emotions. We can choose to be happy or sad, angry or reflective. That doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Practicing mindfulness or meditation helps to build this ability and improves the mastery of your emotions. This builds your self-confidence and helps you to truly feel someone of value