Five Simple Steps for a Fresh Start This New Year

I was inspired to write this blog because of Eti Moskowitz, who opened my eyes to today being a very special day in the Jewish calendar. Together with my dear friend Michal Globan, the most talented architect and designer, we visited my new office space to bring in fresh energy for the New Year. We lit sage, shared kind words, and offered blessings for the year ahead. It was light, fun, and meaningful, the perfect way to welcome renewal.

That experience reminded me how much our environment, our words, and even small rituals can set the tone for new beginnings. As we enter this Jewish New Year, I would like to share five simple tips inspired by The Science of Self-Love and The Bespoke KARMA Method. These are gentle and practical practices that you can bring into your daily life to start the year with clarity and confidence.

What if today was more than just another date on the calendar?

In Jewish tradition, the 25th day of Elul is not only a day of reflection but the day the world itself was created. Six days later came Rosh Hashanah, the day humanity was born.

The meaning of this day is powerful. It reminds us that creation is always renewing, and so can we. It is a time of preparation, just as the six days of creation prepared the way for Shabbat. It is also a reminder of human responsibility. The world may be the stage, but the choices are ours. Some even say that on this day, the very “first light” of creation shines again, carrying the energy of beginnings, hope, and renewal.

Jewish tradition also teaches that creation is not a one-time event but something renewed every single day. In the morning prayers, there is a line: “Who renews every day the work of creation.” I love this because it is more than a ritual phrase. It is a reminder that renewal is woven into the very fabric of life. Just as the world refreshes, so can we. Each morning, each season, and each New Year is an invitation to begin again.

As we step into this season of renewal, I am also reminded of the important words from Leviticus 19:18:

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

We often focus on the call to love others, but hidden within the verse is another truth. To love others fully, we must first learn to love ourselves. Self-love is not selfish. It is the root from which compassion grows.

This is the foundation of The Science of Self-Love and The Bespoke KARMA Method™. When we love ourselves first, we create the safety and strength to pay it forward to our families, our communities, and the world.

Here are five simple steps you can practice this year to set the tone for renewal and growth. Each step is supported by research and anchored in the idea that self-love is the first step toward loving others.

1. Knowledge and Awareness

Notice your thoughts, emotions, and body signals without judgment. Research shows that mindful awareness lowers reactivity in the brain and increases clarity. Awareness tells your nervous system, I am paying attention to myself. I matter.

2. Acceptance

Say to yourself, This is how I feel right now, and it is okay. Studies in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy confirm that acceptance reduces stress and increases resilience. When you accept yourself, you soften the inner critic and invite compassion in.

3. Releasing the Past

Identify one story or pattern that no longer serves you and set it down. Research in trauma therapy shows that when we process and release old narratives, the nervous system finds greater balance. Releasing is freedom.

4. Making Meaning

Ask, What can I learn from this challenge? Viktor Frankl’s work and modern positive psychology both confirm that finding meaning transforms suffering into growth. Making meaning is how pain becomes wisdom.

5. Authenticity

Begin showing up as your true self in small ways. Research shows authenticity strengthens self-esteem, relationships, and overall well-being. When you live authentically, you give others permission to do the same.

This Year’s Intention

Choose one of these five steps and practice it this week. Write it down. Share it with someone you trust. This is how small acts of self-love grow into a ripple of connection.

Each week, I will be sharing reflections and tools from The Bespoke KARMA Method™. These will help you reset your mindset, build safety in your nervous system, and practice the art of self-love.

Your Fresh Start Challenge

Select one skill from the list above and practice it daily. Notice how it changes the way you feel about yourself. Then share that shift with someone else. When you learn to love yourself first, you create the foundation for paying it forward.

Shana Tova,

Dr. Limor Weinstein

Founder, The Bespoke KARMA Method™

President, The Bespoke Institute for Psychological Safety

www.bespokewellnesspartners.com