How was it? Have you survived? There was quite a bit to do to prepare and organise a “memorable Christmas”. I wonder how many of us genuinely tried to have a little break, stay away from the news and use the Festive Season as an opportunity to “inhale some positivity”, recharge our batteries and reconnect with friends and nature.

January is often a tough month. The weather is still pretty miserable, many of us have to go back to work and the joyful Christmas spirit evaporates. The New Year resolution often kicks in. Society encourages us to exercise more, to stop drinking and/ or smoking. Our intentions are often there, however due to a number of external factors e.g. pace of life or work, our commitment doesn’t last too long.

Like many of us, over Christmas, I also was contemplating ways in which 2024 could be not only better but also a bit different than 2023. What if, rather than only looking after my physical appearance, I try to take care of my mental and spiritual wellbeing? What would happen if I was to start there? But how can this be achieved? Yes, of course; we should spend time outdoors as much as possible, read, meditate and socialise. I am certain that we all, to some degree, try to do it to our best ability.

However, what if we did instead, something different and quite revolutionary? I believe that none of the above is possible if we don’t start with ourselves. I will never forget a conversation a few years ago with a friend of mine who said to me: “I am grateful for my limitations”. I must say that it was quite a discovery for me. But I do think that my friend was right; in order to succeed in life, even in small things, we need to be able to embrace our weakness, and not only our strengths.

Today, the society and the world around us often promotes the image of perfectionism. Life is not perfect, if it was, it would be boring. Would we agree? Life teaches us often rush lessons. On many occasions, we need to be brave enough to stand up, carry on after many failures. I believe that each of these experiences, painful and joyful, help us to grow and become better people. Ability to accept and love who we are is crucial in enabling us to grow as humble but also confident individuals.

Over the Christmas period, I also had an opportunity to finish a few books, an important habit, which helps me to dive into a different reality and reflect on stories that I read. One of the books that I have not finished yet is written by Rutger Bregman and it is called Human kind. In spite of global suffering, natural disasters, I really like his perspective on life. I wonder whether things would change if we were to apply his philosophy, which is that ALL human beings are decent. That’s quite an interesting approach, isn’t it?

I really want this to be my goal this year; first of all to strive and improve by being an active listener, appreciate my skills and talents but most importantly to accept my being, with all its faults and limitations. Secondly, I will try to look at the world around me, not through rose-tinted glasses, but with a bit of hope, optimism and positively. I will seek to build walls of dialogue and understanding and not walls of divisions. Easy? No. Will I fail? Yes. Is it worth giving it a go? Most definitely. Let’s do it!

* Michal Siewniak is a Lib Dem activist and councillor for Handside ward, Welwyn Hatfield.