Rolling slow into January

The festive storm rushed in, making a mess I both enjoyed and endured. Then like the snow that so quickly melted, Christmas was over. Now, trees are prone on the side of the road, ready to be chipped. A ladder is precariously perched at the house next door as our neighbour takes down his outdoor lights. Traditionally, our family boxes up Christmas on boxing day, so my post-holiday fog begins a few days before New Year's Eve. Something about the post-festive haze felt different this year.

Heavier or denser? Even though the house is tidy, and I expected it to feel a bit bare, I am surprised that the clean-up did not come with relief. The post-haze has yet to lift quite as I hoped. Lingering longer in this hazy place is uncomfortable and disorienting.

Where is the rush of anticipation for what might come for the new year? Why am I sensing so much resistance to finding my "word" for 2023?

Isn't this the time to set goals, be more intentional and establish the new me?

Sound familiar?

I do know the potential value of goal setting to provide motivation. As the calendar year flips, ushering in January, you may feel the pull to make those New Year resolutions. In the past, if setting these intentions is helpful to restart your next season, then I will cheer you along.

But what do we do if we are in the other camp and have a historical story of starting strong and then petering out, hoping no one notices?

What then? Have I failed at this first task? Do I need more motivation and creativity, or am I just resistant to accountability?

Storytime:

My daughter mentioned that she and her roommate joined a health club downtown but would start at the end of January. My husband seemed curious as to why she would wait.

But I smiled and gave a slight nod.

Oh, daughter, you are wise. You know that intentions start strong sometimes, and you will likely find the gym overflowing with members. In waiting a few short weeks, participation may wane. And as members stop going, there will be more elbow space to move. Well played, daughter.

Normalize and Wait

It is okay to wait. We can trust the part on the inside that is still sitting in a haze. The holiday season can be a lot. More visiting than we usually do. More cheese, more cocktails and not enough water. Who could exercise when the weather couldn't make up its mind? And the restraint it takes to hold inside the things the exhausted part of us would instead like to shout out loud.

We have pivoted and accommodated changes to schedules. We have organized meals and groceries. We have bought gifts, chased down lost items and greeted FedEx drivers in our pj's far too many times- or maybe that is just my story. Honestly, some of us are still weary from all that effort.

Others have been working hard in a very different way. They are holding in grief, disappointment and a chasm of sadness because this year is the first without someone they love. The heaviness of those stories often goes unseen amid all the lights, the gifts and merry porch greetings.  

Can we normalize rolling slow into January? Consider that a fresh start of the New Year may look like resolutions, goals and words to capture the year, or it could look more like resting, waiting and recovering.

Take good care,

Tracey