As January arrives, I find myself drawn to the duality represented by Janus, the Roman god with two faces—one looking back to the past, the other forward to the future. This symbolism feels fitting for the start of the year, a time traditionally associated with new beginnings. Yet, I believe January should be less about relentless striving and more about reflection, dreaming, and gentle planning.
Rewriting January
Instead of launching into the frenzy of resolutions, I’m rewriting January as a month to:
Look back with gratitude at the year gone by.
Tentatively dream about the year ahead.
Nourish my body and soul to prepare for the seasons to come.
This approach feels more in tune with the natural rhythm of winter. Just as the earth rests before the spring bloom, so too can we.
We are still in the depths of winter, a season of hibernation and rest. Instead of succumbing to the societal pressure to become a "new you," I advocate for a "Gentle January," where we take our time and ease into the year. January is not about rushing into action but rather about moving inward, listening to our needs, and planting the seeds for the year to come.
Each January, I perform a ritual of reviewing the list of goals and intentions I set for the previous year. I reflect on what I achieved, what didn’t happen, and what I want to carry forward or let go of. Last year, my focus was on building and growing my business, embracing ecological goals such as reducing plastic usage and choosing sustainable brands, swimming through the winter, and maintaining happiness and health while spending quality time with friends and family. Some goals, like a holiday to Greece for our wedding anniversary and plans for a house extension, didn’t materialize due to caring for our elderly dog. While these things didn’t happen, I’ve accepted that it’s okay. Growth, in all its forms, is progress and we needed to show that boy all our love in his final days.
When I read my list aloud to my husband, he reminded me of how much I had accomplished. His words validated the effort and growth I experienced last year. This year, I’ve carried some goals forward but have also let others go. My business remains a priority, but I’ve also added more opportunities for nourishment, with two well-being retreats already planned. I’m taking extra steps to safeguard my mental health and prevent my annual episode of Seasonal Affective Disorder, and I’m excited to try new activities like paddleboarding and wreath-making with family. An exciting collaboration is also on the horizon, perfectly aligning with my word for 2025: BLOOM. My hope for this year is to bloom personally, creatively, and in all areas of my life.
Another important part of my January ritual is writing a letter to my future self. This letter reflects on the year to come as though it has already unfolded. While I’ve misplaced the one I wrote last year, I’ve taken the time to write a new one and have stored it safely in my studio journal. Writing this letter feels deeply personal and, yes, a little "woo-woo," but I truly believe in the power of manifesting. Manifesting, at its core, is the act of clearly envisioning and articulating your goals, desires, and dreams. It’s about putting your intentions out into the universe and trusting that, through your focus and energy, they can come to fruition. I have made several vision boards in the past and looking back at them makes me realise how many of the images ended as a reality.
For me, writing this letter and my list of goals is a way of aligning with my true aspirations. It’s less about magic and more about clarity, direction, and creating a mindset of openness to opportunities. Manifesting helps me centre my aspirations and take small, intentional steps toward them throughout the year. In this way, my January ritual becomes a grounding practice, reminding me of what matters most and inspiring me to approach the year with purpose and gentleness.
A Gentle Start
So this January, I invite you to take a gentler approach. Let’s honour the duality of the month—looking back with gratitude and forward with quiet optimism. Let’s nourish ourselves, dream softly, and set intentions that align with who we are now, not who we feel pressured to be.
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