The Case for a Slow January
Yes, I know. It’s a new year; time to make resolutions and set new goals. But, it was not always so.
Long before there was ‘new year, new me’ in the middle of winter, the Roman calendar had March 25th as the beginning of the new year, which seems much more sensible.
Think about the flow of nature:
new birth in Spring
growth in Summer
harvest in Fall
time of rest in Winter
Starting our new year in our natural rest and recovery season can make new beginnings difficult.
I know not everyone would agree with me. There are my winter lovers who come alive when the weather shifts. Their systems thrive on cold! They get tons of energy being outside in nature when it is crisp and the sun is beaming off the white snow.
Whatever way you lean, it’s important to align with your nature.
If setting goals in the new year makes you feel a lot of pressure, that’s ok. March may feel like a better time to begin new things.
Winter’s Year End
Instead of feeling the pressure of the end of the year, what if you thought of it in terms of having a period of rest instead, with your personal new year aligned to the beginning of spring instead?
You may want to think about this season as one focused on finishing projects you started in 2025. What do you want to take into the spring of your new year, and what do you need to put down?
There seem to be too many places in life where we are trying to fit into a calendar that does not fit.
It is perfectly ok to set intentions at other times of the year. Who are you, and how are you wired?
Think about times when you feel energized and ready to take on the world. That can be your new year.
Resolution Expansion
Resolution simply means to make a firm decision. We do that every day!
It also means solving a problem. Again, this is not something we do once a year.
That is why I prefer the idea of setting an intention or a focus for the new year.
Think of the various parts of your life (relationships, health, career, financial, etc). There is usually one or two that need attention at a time. Think about these areas that you would like to focus on.
Following The Seasons
Instead of worrying about setting resolutions at the beginning of the calendar year, perhaps consider the seasons of the year and view winter as a time for preparation.
When we think of the Stages of Change, preparation is the step BEFORE action. Yet, we have all been conditioned to hit the ground running January 1st.
Because I have worked in the post-secondary world for most of my life, I tend to set my intentions in the fall. Winter is about honing for me. I can often see results by Spring, which means I can tweak my actions and shift to maintenance, if I’m ready. Summer is a time of preparation for Fall.
Think about who you are and the flow of your life. Look back at times in your life when you have made the most important decisions. Perhaps you need a new year that begins at a time that works better for you.
Word Of The Year
Choosing a word for the year has become popular in recent years. I really like that idea. Every aspect of your life can be tuned to a really good word.
Some I’ve heard are Nourish, Balance, and Growth. My favourite was Curiosity. Imagine what the year could bring if curiosity were the focus?
January Goal Setting
Maybe you’re a person who loves setting goals at the beginning of the calendar year. Did you set resolutions this year?
It can take as long as 200 days for a new habit to stick. We often think it is 3-weeks or 66-days. Typically, the 3-week mark is more habitual, but the change has not had a chance to take root fully. How many people are giving up at this point?
Resetting expectations is part of the process. If you did set a goal, it’s ok to adjust as you go. You may even need to pull yourself back into preparation mode when you hit a setback.
Letting the Year Unfold
If none of these feel right, it’s also okay to just let the year unfold. Take a minute to close your eyes. Just feel the moment. We are often very unaware of the present moment, especially in all our plans and ambitions for the future. But, you are in the here-and-now. This moment in time. Nothing else exists. Let the tension of the future loosen.
Last year, I got an injury 1 minute into the new year. It threw me off my game, especially in the physical goals department. I was forced to move into a rehabilitation period, which meant no lifting or squating or bending. It would have been easy for me to put everything on hold. Instead, I pivoted.
Saying, “Well, there is always next year!” did not seem reasonable. So, I took a breath. I surveyed where I was in that exact moment in time, and I planned from there.
Breathe. Then, ask yourself:
What are my biggest obstacles?
Do I need to adjust my expectations?
What are the small wins I can measure?
Am I grateful in this moment?
Is there anything in the plan that needs rethinking?
These questions keep you grounded in the moment and focused on the process rather than constantly measuring success. We can only control the inputs, after all.
Once everything is in place, it may be easier to find the daily habits that will support your joy as much as your ambitions.
New Beginnings
January is named for Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, transitions, and endings.
If January is a beginning for you, amazing - keep slaying those resolutions!
If winter is more of a transition, find time to reflect and take stock.
Perhaps winter feels like the year-end. Great - What do you need to put down? What do you need for the rebirth coming?
Wherever you are, you are in the right spot. We will all move from here. Our paths may just look a little different.