Finding Seasonal Joy – I’m Embracing the New Year and the New Opportunities it Will Bring

I love ringing in the new year with my friends. As we cross arms and enthusiastically pelt out Auld Lang Syne, hug, and open another bottle of bubbles, I can’t help but feel such an enormous sense of optimism. The new year is completely unwritten, and although this feeling is shared with a scattering of apprehension thrown in for good measure (I do love balance!), I can’t help but beam from ear to ear. A whole new year ahead. A blank page. A new chapter. The hope of so many opportunities. I’m going for it this year, and embracing 2025 wholeheartedly.

Many of us will start the year with a plan, or maybe intentions or resolutions. Some of us don’t, and both are absolutely okay. Ultimately you know what is right and works best for you. Not everyone finds the start of the new year easy so let’s be especially gentle and kind to one another. Perhaps the uncertainty of what the next 12 months will bring doesn’t fill everyone’s cup with joy. We are certain that we cannot predict the future, so my advice to you is to control what you can, and maybe a little goal setting, or creating a loose plan is a great way to kick off the year.

As I write this, I am warming myself with a hot cup of tea after returning to my desk from a stroll in the snow. Whilst it’s not everyone’s thing, I am a huge fan of the colder and darker months, and somehow, I can see things much clearer. I just can’t help it – for me, not much beats a walk or run in the winter sunshine (or the snow in today’s case). Perhaps it’s from my upbringing in the sticks in Herefordshire that I feel very nostalgic about frost, and seeing my breath in the air. However, I am hyper-aware of how challenging these months, January in particular, can be for so many people. This coupled with heading back to work after the holidays can make those first few weeks of the year feel particularly hard. After a busy end to the year, and time off during the festive period, for many January often also means considering or managing change – sometimes planned, but sometimes a little out of our control.

New Year, New Job? As a Recruiter, the first few weeks of January often mean lots of candidates firing up their job search. My inbox quickly fills with CVs, and my diary with interviews as I speak to candidates who are eagerly looking for a change after a period of reflection, and perhaps renewed energy during the holidays. It’s always great news for me, I love to be busy, and helping people be the best version of themselves, and playing a part in them finding a new job is my passion. This surge of new candidates on the market naturally results in new opportunities. Businesses need to replace leavers, but also business owners take stock during their time off to properly think, and work out what talent they need in their business. The new year will very often mean change and new opportunities for both businesses and candidates.

I urge you to get in touch with me if you are ready to fire up your job search, or considering what your next career move might look like. Sometimes talking out loud is the best way, and will help you shape your aspirations, and goals and really assess what is important to you. I am truly dedicated and passionate about helping candidates at all levels of their careers and would love to add some value to your job search if I can. Likewise, if you are a business owner, or decision-maker looking to recruit it would be my pleasure to speak to you to see if I can find you somebody brilliant.

For the last eleven years, I have flown the flag for so many candidates who have spoken to me about their career aspirations, and I hope I have added value in some way, shape or form to those amazing people. It’s now my turn. Benchmark will be undergoing some exciting changes this year. I have had a plan up my sleeve for a little while now. Life threw me a fair few curveballs, 2024 pretty much from start to finish was a bit of a personal nightmare, but goodness me am I going to channel this in the best way possible and achieve my own career aspirations that I have set for myself – yes, yes, I am! I am so genuinely excited to share more details with you soon but for now, trust that Benchmark is business as usual, in fact it’s not going anywhere, and as always, I am ready as ever to support those of you seeking a new career challenge, and businesses across Sheffield, South Yorkshire and beyond who are looking to grow their teams. Let’s just say as I have evolved and grown over the last twelve months in particular, Benchmark is also going through its own glow-up and I cannot wait to share more details with you soon.

So, here’s to 2025. Here’s to embracing whatever is thrown at us and supporting each other along the way. Let’s keep our eyes open to new opportunities and find lots and lots of joy.   Wishing you all a very happy, and healthy 2025.

Becca x

A little reading suggestion for those struggling with the colder season, or going through a difficult time at the moment – Wintering by Katherine May – I’ve read it over and over again and it’s got me through many dark and cold days. It’s become a coffee table book for me – one I dip in and out of constantly.