Or do you go into the year with hope — because certainty is long gone, and reality doesn’t reset with fireworks?
If you’re carrying the weight of last year into this one, you’re not alone. Most people are. Tired. Reflective. Wondering if this year will be different — or just more of the same with a new number on it.
So… Happy New Year.
And I mean that — not as a wish, but as a hope. A quiet one. For something steadier. Something real.
The pressure to feel energised, motivated, or “new” in January is everywhere — but what if you just feel… flat?
Not broken. Not lost. Just done. Like you’ve been carrying too much, for too long, with no real pause — and now you’re expected to sprint again.
I’ve spoken to so many people this week — executives, carers, leaders, parents — and they all say the same thing:
“I’m already tired, and the year’s just started.”
So this month, I’m not talking about resolutions. I’m talking about recovery. Reflection. And choosing to begin this year differently — with honesty over hype.
✍️ This month on the blog and in upcoming sessions, we’ll explore:
🧠 Why Christmas Leaves So Many People Exhausted It’s not the food, the drink, or the family logistics — it’s the emotional load that knocks us sideways. Here’s what’s really going on behind that post-holiday crash.
You’ll also find practical ways to get involved, reflect, and take simple steps that support both you and those around you.
As the world speeds up, let’s not lose sight of what we really need — calm, clarity, connection.
Let’s start this year with intention — not obligation.
— Mike
🌍 Resilience at the Edge
The 2024 Mental State of the World Report just landed — and it’s not easy reading.
📉 Mental wellbeing across the globe has remained stuck at post-pandemic lows — with no sign of recovery in 2023. 📊 The UK now ranks second lowest in the world for mental wellbeing, just ahead of Uzbekistan — despite being one of the world’s wealthiest nations.
The report gathered data from over 500,000 people across 71 countries, measuring how well people are coping, connecting, and functioning in daily life.
Here’s what stands out:
The steepest declines continue to show up in younger people under 35.
Early smartphone use, ultra-processed diets, and weaker family and social bonds are emerging as key drivers of poor mental health — especially in wealthier nations like the UK and Australia.
Meanwhile, countries across parts of Africa and Latin America — with fewer material resources — are scoring higher on wellbeing.
📱 It’s raising big questions. In Australia, children under 16 are now banned from using social media — part of a national effort to curb digital harm. Here in the UK, MPs are starting to have the same conversation.
So here’s something worth pausing to ask:
Have you noticed any changes in your own wellbeing — or the people around you? Are you more detached than before? Less tolerant? Struggling to care, focus, or stay interested?
This isn’t just a mental health crisis. It’s a wellbeing wake-up call. And resilience isn’t about pushing through — it’s about noticing, responding, and rebuilding with intention.
🎧 Looking to Make a Change This Year? Start with Your Mind.
If you’re heading into 2026 knowing something needs to shift — focus, energy, sleep, presence — this is one change that actually helps.
No hype. No hacks. Just clarity.
🧠 Brain.fm uses sound, backed by neuroscience, to help your brain settle into the state you need — whether that’s focus, rest, or calm.
Focus mode when you want to get into flow — not just “power through.”
Sleep mode when switching off feels impossible.
Relax mode when your nervous system needs space to breathe.
I only recommend what I use myself — and this works.
🎧 Try Brain.fm free — and give your brain the support it’s been asking for.
Here’s what’s inside this month’s edition:
Why Christmas leave so many people exhausted
🧠 Ready to feel more focused, less frazzled?
Stress doesn’t always show up as overwhelm — sometimes it’s the slow drip of exhaustion, lack of motivation, or just not feeling like yourself anymore.
In this blog, I share practical ways to reset after the emotional drain of Christmas — and how to reconnect with calm, focus, and momentum as you ease into 2026. If you’re feeling flat, stuck, or simply not ready to launch into another year at full speed — this is for you. ⬇️
When The second week of January often hits harder than we expect. The buzz is gone, the inbox is full, and the pressure to “get going” feels heavier than it should.
This blog dives into why this part of the month matters more than people think — and how to use it as a real turning point, not just another Monday. If you’re ready to make change that sticks, not just start another cycle of burnout — this is where to begin.
It might not be “just January” — it could be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Millions feel the shift every winter, but most never realise what’s actually going on.
I spoke about this live on BBC Radio Sheffield on New Year’s Day, sharing practical tips for managing mood, energy, and mental wellbeing during the darker months. In this blog, I break down what SAD really is, how to recognise it, and the small, effective steps you can take to feel more like you again. You’re not imagining it — and you don’t have to just push through.
🔥 Would You Know What to Do in a Mental Health Crisis?
📅 Date: Monday–Tuesday, 19–20 January 2026 🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM 💻 Format: Live, Online & Fully Interactive
If you’re a: ✔️ HR Manager looking to build confidence and compassion in your team ✔️ HR Director committed to real, lasting cultural change ✔️ Business owner who values people over policies
…this certified Mental Health First Aider course is for you.
🌟 What learners are saying: “Empowering, practical, and transformative. Mike made it feel safe to speak up, easy to absorb, and impossible to ignore. One of the best training experiences I’ve had.”
This is more than training — it’s a leadership essential in today’s workplace.
📞 Call: 01142 670 081 ✉️ Email:hello@mikelawrence.co.uk ⏳ Spaces are limited — don’t wait until a crisis hits.
You know that feeling when a book, podcast, or film completely shifts your perspective? Or when you binge on something so good, you immediately want to tell everyone about it?
Well, this is that space. Whether it’s a mind-blowing book, a documentary I can’t stop talking about, or a podcast that made me rethink everything, here’s what’s been filling my brain (and occasionally distracting me from work).
Curious? Dive in. 👇
📚
Limitless
Jim Kwik
Still dipping in and out — I’m at the part on measuring your reading speed and building a system to actually remember what you’ve read (useful stuff). Haven’t finished it yet… might be time to pick it back up — unless Netflix distracts me again.
🎬
Road to Revenge
Watched this over Christmas — one man dismantles the very house where his family was murdered, piece by piece, loads it onto a truck, and tries to rebuild it elsewhere — somewhere safe. But safety doesn’t come easy. He’s soon pulled into a violent cross-country chase that tests every part of him. Raw, gripping, and quietly devastating.
🎧
Every Christmas
Luther Vandross
Always makes it onto the playlist this time of year. Smooth, nostalgic, and full of soul. Luther was taken from us too soon — grateful I got to see him live back when I was living in London. A voice that still hits differently.
💫 That’s a wrap for January.
December ended on a high with a brilliant night at The Murder Express in Bethnal Green — immersive theatre, great food, and a proper laugh with family to close out the year.
Then January began with some much-needed time for myself — a few days in Blackpool at Luxury Soul Weekend. Dance, sing (yes, I can dance), live acts and connecting with friends — a great start to the year.
Between Christmas and New Year, I also took time to fill out a document I use every year: The Year Ahead — a deep-dive review of the past 12 months and a space to lay the foundations for what’s next. It was powerful to go through it again — and even more meaningful sharing it with clients who had done theirs too.
If you’d like to map out your year with more clarity and intention, drop me a message and I’ll send you a copy.
🕒 Word of warning — you’ll want to set aside at least 3–4 hours (or more). But it’s worth every minute.
The coming weeks are already filling up with MHFA training, workshops on sleep, loneliness, and resilience — and I’ve got time blocked out for family and friends across London, Leicestershire, and Wales. Moments I’m really looking forward to.
This time of year often brings reflection — and what’s clear for me is this: Mental strength isn’t found in how fast you start the year, but in how honest you are about what you need.
Let’s Stay Connected! 🔗💬
💡 If something in this newsletter resonated, challenged you, or made you pause — let’s talk.
Whether you’re feeling the pressure of the budget, battling quiet stress, or facing your own hurricane in life… you don’t have to navigate it alone.
📩 Email me directly: hello@mikelawrence.co.uk 💬 Follow, share, or drop me a message — connection isn’t just part of the work — it is the work.
Hi, I’m Mike Lawrence, and I’m dedicated to enhancing mental health and wellbeing. After overcoming significant health challenges, including brain surgery, I’ve committed to a journey of self-improvement and helping others. My adventures range from thrilling skydives for charity to transformative travels in Thailand. I share insights from my experiences and key learnings from impactful audiobooks. Join me in exploring holistic health and wellbeing, and let’s embrace life’s adventures together!
Feel free to connect with me through email at hello@mikelawrence.co.uk or LinkedIn. For more detailed insights and stories from Mike, click here to read the latest blogs.
