‘It’s just really kind of prioritising looking after myself a bit more’ (Picture: Georgia Brown)

For years, journalist Georgia Brown has struggled with the pressure of New Year’s resolutions, as well as the disappointment and self-criticism that comes when they, inevitably, fail.

So this year, the 26-year-old has decided to be kinder to herself and to start things a little earlier, in December.

Instead, Georgia has created her own kindness advent calendar, made up of 25 days of self-love challenges: five things to better her body, five things to better her mind, five things her future self will thank you for, five things for others, and five things for her.

In a way, the challenge is an ‘anti-New Year’s resolution’ – instead ensuring Georgia enters 2024 feeling her absolute best.

‘It’s almost an “anti-New Year’s resolution”‘(Picture: Georgia Brown)

Georgia is currently taking part in her 25-day challenge (Picture: Georgia Brown)

‘It’s just really kind of prioritising looking after myself a bit more rather than dumping it all on January, then giving up after a few weeks and feeling really rubbish,’ Georgia, who lives in Greenwich, tells Metro.

The idea came to her as she’s currently training for her first London Marathon – but only started running last year. Georgia thought her self-care advent calendar challenge would be a great way to motivate herself, not only to run more, but to look after herself in the process.

Georgia adds: ‘I started running in September but, when the clocks went back, I started to really struggle finding motivation to get out. So I thought, why don’t I give myself some kind of challenge to motivate myself.

‘Now, obviously, running every day is not good for you, so then I had the idea of turning it into a bit of a challenge and it got me thinking about New Year’s resolutions.

‘I feel most woman can relate, but ever since I was a teenager I have set a New Year’s resolution to “get fit”, which is fine – but I feel like it always ends up turning into some kind of horrible mission to lose weight, or think that I’ll be happier if I lose weight or fit into a certain size.

‘But since I’ve been marathon training, I’ve had to really re-evaluate my fitness goals. I think it just has made me really reprioritise what’s important when it comes to goal-setting.

‘So I thought, actually, instead of setting a New Year’s resolution, because I think it will make me feel happier, why don’t I just take it really slow and kind of do an almost an “anti-New Year’s resolution” and do things that make me feel good and benefit the people around me.’

‘It shouldn’t be a chore to look after yourself, fuel your body, and to look after your mind’ (Picture: Georgia Brown)

‘The challenge is definitely urging myself to do things that I wouldn’t normally do or have been putting off’ (Picture: Georgia Brown)

Georgia wrote down five different ideas for each category and added them to a randomiser online. Throughout the month of December, she’s spun this wheel to get her task for the day.

So far she’s completed smaller things (mostly 10-minute tasks) such as decluttering her wardrobe, seeing the sunrise and linking her Oyster card to her Railcard, as well as larger activities, like surprising her sister in Cornwall.

‘The five things for others is about treating loved ones and spending time with them, which is something I think is really easy to neglect – especially when you’re living in London, because it’s so difficult to see people,’ she continues.

The writer has kept it up every day throughout the month of December – apart from one task, a Park Run, which she finished earlier after being drenched by a bus driving through a puddle.

‘The challenge is definitely urging myself to do things that I wouldn’t normally do or have been putting off,’ Georgia adds.

‘Like with my sister, for example, she lives eight hours away and I didn’t have any time in my December schedule to see her. I couldn’t make it work with my work schedule and I was worried about the train prices because it costs nearly £100 to go to Cornwall from London.

But then I thought, actually, why am I being so silly? I should just go and see my sister. Life is too short to not kind of do these things. So it’s nice that it’s kind of given me the motivation to do things like that.

‘It’s definitely taught me to not be so critical of myself and to make looking after yourself fun. 

‘It shouldn’t be a chore to look after yourself, fuel your body, and to look after your mind.’

‘It’s definitely taught me to not be so critical of myself and to make looking after yourself fun’ (Picture: Georgia Brown)

Georgia is being kind to her body and mind with the challenges (Picture: Georgia Brown)

Georgia has also been sharing her journey over on TikTok (@geeleighbee) and adds that this element has been really helpful for her.

‘I think the reason I put it on TikTok is for that motivation. If it’s out there, then it’s almost like holding myself accountable to actually get it done,’ she adds.

‘I think I’ve just been really surprised. I’ve had so many messages from people saying it’s such a good idea, or they’d love to do it as well. And there are a few people who are tagging me in their videos each day and it’s really lovely to see.

‘It just feels like a very wholesome thing to do.’

It’s also an idea that’s not limited to December. In fact, it could be carried out in January, or any time next year.

Georgia says: ‘I’m the kind of person where you have to start on fresh page. I always think I have to start things on a Monday or I have to start things on the first of the month. And I this has kind of turned that on the flip side and shown me you don’t have to do that.

‘I am by no means an expert in anything wellness related, but I’ve learned that you can do things if you put your mind to it. You just have to make time to prioritise looking after yourself.’

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‘It’s definitely taught me to not be so critical of myself and to make looking after yourself fun.’