18 Jan Starting the New Year with Balance: How Understanding Your Values Can Help You Thrive

As we enter a new year, many of us set goals, make resolutions and aspire to create positive changes in our lives by starting our therapy journey with a psychologist Melbourne. While goal-setting is valuable, an often overlooked ingredient for sustainable success is balance. Without it, we risk burnout, dissatisfaction, or even giving up on our goals altogether. Drawing on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment (ACT), popularised by Russ Harris, this blog explores how understanding your values and allocating your resources intentionally can help you thrive. 

Whether you’re looking for goal setting, online therapy Australia, or a psychologist near you, this blog can be a great way to start living 2025 in line with your own individual values.

Understanding Your Values through ACT

ACT values are considered to be your heart’s deepest desires for how you want to live your life. Russ Harris describes values as “desired qualities of ongoing action”—they are guiding principles, not just goals. While goals are things you achieve, values represent the direction in which you want to head. For example, you might set a goal to exercise three times a week, but the underlying value could be maintaining your health or embracing vitality.  

Understanding your values gives you clarity about where to focus your limited resources—time, money, and energy —so you can act on a list of values in ways that bring you a sense of fulfilment. When you align your daily actions with your values, you’re more likely to experience balance, even when life gets busy or challenging.  

Allocating Resources Intentionally

ACT emphasises psychological flexibility, which means being open to your experience, staying present, and taking committed action in line with your values—even when life throws obstacles in your way. Here’s how you can apply this concept when allocating your resources:  

1. Time – Time is finite, but how you spend it is within your control. Rather than focusing solely on productivity, ACT invites us to reflect on whether our actions align with our values. For example, if you value personal growth, dedicating time to study or learn new skills might feel deeply rewarding. Similarly, if you value connection, setting aside time for family or friends is essential. Remember that activities like yoga, meditation, or simply unwinding aren’t indulgent—they’re vital for maintaining balance and energy.  
2. Money– Money, like time, can be spent in ways that align with or detract from your values. If health is a priority, investing in nutritious food or exercise equipment may feel worthwhile. If family and connection are important, you might choose to allocate money toward shared experiences, like a family holiday. Being intentional about spending, rather than acting on impulse, is a key step toward balance.  
3. Energy – Russ Harris highlights that life inevitably involves uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. ACT teaches us to focus on what matters most, even when we’re tired or stressed. Balancing energy means recognising when you need to rest and recharge, but also knowing when to push forward in the service of your values. Paying attention to what drains and restores your energy helps you allocate it wisely.  

The ‘Ripple Effect’ of Creating Balance

One of the key lessons from ACT is that life’s domains are interconnected. When one area of life becomes unbalanced, it often impacts others. For example, if you over-prioritise work at the expense of health, you might feel fatigued, which could reduce your productivity and affect your relationships. Conversely, taking time for self-care might feel “selfish” in the moment, but it often has a ripple effect that benefits other areas of life, such as work and family.  

ACT encourages us to adopt a flexible, compassionate mindset. Instead of rigidly sticking to one domain at the expense of others, strive for balance by regularly reassessing your values ACT and adjusting your actions accordingly.  

Letting Go of Guilt with ACT Principles  

A common barrier to maintaining balance is guilt—especially when taking time for ourselves. ACT offers an effective approach to overcoming this guilt: acceptance. Rather than fighting feelings of guilt or self-judgment, acknowledge their presence without letting them control your actions.

Russ Harris values suggest that we should view self-care not as selfish, but as essential. By consciously dedicating time and energy to activities that restore you—whether that’s a yoga session, a quiet evening alone, or a creative hobby—you’re investing in your long-term well-being. This, in turn, enhances your ability to support others and pursue your goals.  

Practical Tips for a Balanced New Year  

1. Clarify Your Values – Take time to identify your key values in different life domains. Ask yourself, “What matters most to me?”  
2. Set Flexible Goals – Use your values as a guide for setting goals, but remain open to adjusting them as life changes.  
3. Reflect Regularly – Check in with yourself weekly or monthly to assess whether your actions align with your values.  
4. Accept Imperfection – Life won’t always be perfectly balanced, and that’s okay. What matters is your willingness to keep moving in the direction of your values, even when things get tough.  
5. Be Kind to Yourself – Self-compassion is at the core of ACT. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend.  

Thriving in 2025  

As you embark on a new year, remember that thriving isn’t about chasing perfection—it’s about living in alignment with what truly matters to you. By understanding your values, allocating your resources intentionally, and letting go of guilt, you can create a life that feels balanced and meaningful.

If you’d like support in clarifying your values or finding balance, consider working with an online psychologist Melbourne trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. At our practice, we have a special interest in helping clients cultivate psychological flexibility, identify what matters most, and take committed action toward a fulfilling life.

Ready to start your journey toward balance? Reach out to one of our experienced psychologists Melbourne today. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, balance, and thriving.