New year, new me? - Film recs to show you don’t need to change

New Year, New Me. Insert yawn. This overplayed mantra is not only clichéd but fundamentally flawed. It assumes we’re not enough as we are, treating the New Year as a reset button that will somehow transform us into an ideal version of ourselves.

Instead, the New Year should be a time for active reflection. Step away from the noise and let your mind wander without guilt. Rather than rushing into new goals, take a moment to reflect on the past year and acknowledge how far you’ve come. Your true goals will naturally become clearer once you make space to appreciate the present.

Yes, keep striving to be the best version of yourself—but remember to embrace who you are right now. Celebrate your quirks and imperfections!

With that in mind, I’ve selected a few films that resonate with me deeply. Each offers a moment of introspection, helping you reconnect with parts of yourself that can easily get lost in the grind of student life.

Re-watching films is a Christmas tradition for many, myself included. Some of these films have helped me through tough times, while others have simply stayed with me. Revisiting them shows how much you’ve grown and offers a deeper appreciation—something that ties perfectly into the art of reflection. Alternatively, try a new film that pulls you into the present moment. It’s a reminder that the New Year isn’t about reinventing yourself, but about understanding and accepting who you already are—something that can clarify your focus and sharpen your goals.

So, without further ado, here are a few of my top picks (spoiler alert: none are Christmas films, though I’m sure you’ve already binged the classics over the years):

• Silver Linings Playbook
  Theme: Embrace your quirks.
  Two people struggling with mental health find comfort in each other’s imperfections, showing that mental well-being comes from self-acceptance, not fixing oneself.

• Good Will Hunting
  Theme: Find direction without changing who you are.
  Will’s journey is about confronting his fears and embracing his potential, not reinventing himself. Purpose comes from accepting who you already are.

• Mona Lisa Smile
  Theme: Question societal norms.
  A teacher challenges her students to embrace their individuality, suggesting that fulfilment comes from being true to yourself, not conforming to others' expectations.

• The Terminal
  Theme: Make the best of your situation.
  Stuck in an airport, Tom Hanks builds relationships and finds purpose, emphasising the importance of accepting what you can’t change and finding joy in the present.

I confess, I lied. Of course, I had to include one Christmas film (the best one, no less), or I’d be out of a job...

• Love Actually
  Theme: Embrace imperfect love.
  The film shows love in all its messy forms—romantic, familial, platonic—and reminds us that happiness comes from accepting relationships as they are, flaws and all.

Well, there you have it—your homework for Christmas leading into the New Year. Enjoy the films, reflect, and remember you’re already enough.