Talking about * CHANGE *
A study resource for the higher B2-C1 levels
Are you familiar with the list below? Try to come up with your own definition from what you already know. Or if you’re not sure, try searching Youglish.
> New Year’s Resolutions
> “New year, new me”
> goal setting
> personal growth
> outlook
> progress
> quality of life
> to become a better version of yourself
> self-care
> fresh start
You’re probably tired of hearing this. “Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?!” –O.M.G.– People have probably been asking you since the last week of the year up until the end of this week. Making New Year’s resolutions is common practice/conversation in North America. The idea is that at the end of the year, we reflect on what we can do to make things better in the next year, and as a result set goals to achieve and see permanent changes in our lives. Hopefully, changes that have a positive impact on our overall quality of life.
First question: Is it common for people to make New Year’s Resolutions in your country?
Follow-up question: Should people wait until the end of the year to change or make things happen?
There’s an interesting video that I came across- **watch Rejecting the self-improvement craze **
Basically, the speaker is saying that the idea of “personal growth”/ “becoming a better version of ourselves” is stressful and puts pressure on people.
Question two: What do you think about this idea? Do you think that striving to become better is stressful?
Follow-up question: If people don’t want to change, is this a bad thing? Does this make them bad people? Why?
Here is a task you can try. Open your notebook to a fresh page and make a chart:
| Personal changes -example: taking time to focus on self-care | Changes in career/career path |
| Changes in your relationships (friends/family/acquaintances) | Change in environment |
Think about the changes that have happened in your life in 2021. Try to write at least one thing in each category (in English of course :P).
What kind of impact (or effect) have they had on your present situation? Have any of these changes pushed you to become “a better version” of yourself –or at least change your perspective?
For example, if you write something like “taking time to focus on self-care” (under ‘personal changes’) the impact it might’ve had could be: taking better care of your health, being more physically active, drinking more water, taking a break, setting boundaries when it comes to accepting tasks…etc.
The last question- Does personal growth equal success?
Did I get your gears working in this post?
Let me know your thoughts by typing a comment below OR if you’d like to discuss this topic with me -teacher Mel- Book a session by clicking the blue button! Let’s get talking- express your authentic self in English!
Chatty Canadians 