A Sweet January Reminder

It's January.

Winter is still here. The cold breeze keeps me tucked in my blanket for a long time. I'm in the company of some really good books. The sun is gentle, and the apricity is gratifying.

That's how I'd like to look at it.
Come to think of it, a new year seems to add more pressure than bring hope. "This new year, I'll do this. I'll ace this, I'll learn that."

How was it before somebody told us that we had to have a rulebook before we stepped into a new set of twelve months? And what happens when, for a couple of days, we steer off the plan? Is it okay to end up disappointed in ourselves then? I believe that's rather cruel.

Don't you?

So, how am I approaching the next couple of weeks?
I'm still keeping goals. I'll be writing daily, I plan on working out more often, and similarly focusing on the other important stuff, like everybody else. I'm no exception to that.

But what am I doing differently this time?
Instead of pressuring myself to follow my "resolutions", I'm going to be kind to myself.
Instead of calling them resolutions, I'm going to call them promises to myself.

Here are a few of them:
1. I'm a human, and it's inevitable that I make mistakes. But the next time I do, I'm going to remind myself that it's okay to have made them.
2. I'm going to be more considerate of my feelings and boundaries.
3. I'm going to learn how to say no when I'm not entirely comfortable with something.
4. I'm going to get that ice cream when I feel like having it.
5. I'm going to forgive myself if and when I'm not able to stick to any of these.
6. I'll remember that a small break isn't a setback and even if there is one, it doesn't erase my entire progress that moment in time.

Because having made it through a terrifying moment, a long day, and a relentless, tiring week is also an achievement. And even though we won't put them on our resume, these are the milestones that we need to remember. After all, these are what make our years count.

A new month is still a new beginning; just as a new day or moment is as good a new beginning as any.

And because we only have so many years, but countless new moments, here's yours.

Happy new moment to you!