Monthly Musings: January - A New Beginning
diary
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Each month I reflect on what’s been happening for 1O 1O 1O, sharing what I am grateful for and looking to the month ahead.
January gets a bad press for being a depressing and miserable month in the UK. Rather than reminiscing on what has been and thinking about what you can't do, it's time to see January as what it truly is, a new beginning.
Author Beck
I'm going to keep this musing short. I hope you will spend some time after reading to consider how this January can be a new start, be it a new hobby, skill or language. In a similar vein to our 'Top Lockdown Resolutions, You Can Stick To' post, let's plan some exciting things that can happen in your year ahead.
Set A Project
Rather than setting a target, I prefer to think of it as a project. If you set a target, you can forget the journey to get there and can get dismayed when progress is slow - especially true for diets! So, think about your project for this year. Are you be saving up for a new home, looking to start a family or get in shape? There are many steps on the road to these intentions, so let's start by breaking them down into goals to help keep you motivated.
Great Goals
The trick here is to choose something challenging but unreasonable. If it's weight loss you seek, then a weekly target is a good start. If you're trying to save for a big purchase, you can equally work out a weekly/monthly amount to put aside. I have found setting up a separate savings account (despite how rubbish the interest rates are) is a great way to do this. Each month I transfer across a set amount, so it's no longer in my current account, forcing me to budget wisely. If an unexpected expense pops-up I can dip in, but I've seen the pennies starting to stack up, which is rewarding. This process means I am not saying I can't do things or spend, so I don't feel deprived. I've set myself a goal to reach by easter and a reward for hitting it, helping to stay on track.
It’s All is Good
I’ll leave you with a poem about new beginnings and new years. It’s called “i am running into a new year” by Lucille Clifton courtesy of Words for the Year.
i am running into a new year
and the old years blow back
like a wind
that i catch in my hair
like strong fingers like
all my old promises and
it will be hard to let go
of what i said to myself
about myself
when i was sixteen and
twentysix and thirtysix
even thirtysix but
i am running into a new year
and i beg what i love and
i leave to forgive me