Why the year doesn’t really start on January 1st

Renewal without the January stress

Midwinter is just behind us, and with the start of 2025, we’re urged to reinvent ourselves. The message we hear is clear: set goals now, anything is possible. However, I strongly believe that without a strong foundation (aka mental, physical, and emotional capacity) the boldest plans are like storming off to cross the Alps without considering when best to go, what to pack, or how to prepare. And let’s face it, in the depths of winter that we currently find ourselves in, our reserves are naturally at their lowest.

Rushing into January goals without being holistically nourished explains why only 23% can sustain them after the first week, and 43% can’t keep their goals alive beyond the first few weeks. Just 8% reach their targets, research shows. Imagine if we approached our Alpine crossing this way, losing most of our precious team along the way. We’d be in the news for all the wrong reasons, and barely anyone would get to enjoy Italian gelato.

Longlasting change requires more than bold dreams.

I really do wonder why we expect inhuman things from us humans so often. We’re told to operate like robots or old-fashioned male-run businesses. In reality, however, most businesses don’t pivot without plans, preparation, and an honest look at their capacity. I find this comparison somehow eye-opening, don’t you agree?

Working with executives in my Silicon Valley tech job has taught me a lot about this. In my role, I help teams and organizations rethink how they work together, so they can thrive without drowning in constant overwhelm. I love being the midwife of their transformation.

One thing I see over and over again:

success (real, sustainable success and change) requires the right systems to support not just our work, but also our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls.

And this isn’t just true in business; it’s true in life, maybe even more so. ✨

Personal goal-setting at this time of year often feels to me like we’re forcing ourselves into a rigid, outdated system: male, linear, and overly structured.

Yes, of course, we can ride the wave of January “renewal”, but at what cost if we haven’t even spent more than potentially Boxing Day in stillness (realistically more like a food coma)?

Why the calendar renews on January 1st and why we don’t have to.

Did you know that January 1st as the start of the new year wasn’t some timeless, universal decision; it was the result of a Roman emperor’s war strategy?

Feel free to do a quick Google search, it’s a fun rabbit hole when you consult some public resources like this one.

Here’s a spoiler in the meantime: Great Britain and its American colonies didn’t even adopt the Gregorian calendar until 1752. Before that, New Year’s Day was celebrated on March 25, closer to the spring equinox- just as many cultures had done for centuries.

Here’s the thing:

• As humans, especially as women, we don’t have to follow these trends, rules, or the “this is just how it’s done” mentality.

• We can free ourselves from these expectations, reclaim our own timeline, and choose to start fresh when it feels natural, not because the calendar says so. Whenever that is for you!

• Just like companies set their own fiscal years based on their business or industry needs, we can wait for nature to wake up, for the days to lengthen and warm, and for our winter tiredness to shift into spring excitement.

Why rush renewal when we can align with what truly feels right, the essence of The Rest Revolution?

What to do instead: create systems that support us during wintering:

1. Cherishing the in-between season

We have time. Despite what the world is telling us. On January 1st, we are only one day older, and maybe a tiny bit wiser. Nothing else has changed. Dont be fooled.

Instead of rushing into action, let’s stay in tune with nature the largest system we find ourselves in and listen to our inner world, too. Those are much better guides than a calendar date.

I don’t know about you, but growing up I experienced a slower transition from the holidays to the new year. Our Christmas tree stayed up well into January, traditionally even February, until Candlemas (or the Celtic Imbolc), marking the end of winter and the Christmas season. We lit candles, sang songs, and leaned into the cosy stillness of winter nights as a family. Entering a new year never meant throwing out the old by January 1st. Talking about dreams, visions and desires and not goals was our standard.

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2. Gentle rituals for the start of 2025

Let me say this first: I am not here to tell you what to do. If you wish to take my hand on your journey home to your own inner knowing, wisdom and trust, I’m here. Join me?

❄️ Dreaming: not goal setting in January.

• Dream boldly. That’s enough for January. I will only create more tangible “goals” in February as that’s when my energy slowly returns. Just as farmers and those lucky with gardens slowly start seeding ideas, making plans for planting and preparing for spring and summer, we can follow along setting goals then.

  • If you run a business or have a job that requires you to return to full energy on January 2nd, can you be gentle with yourself? honour your continuous need for more sleep and rest this time of the year.

  • I consciously don’t schedule any important presentations or exhausting business travels for example. 

❄️ Reflection: Write a letter to yourself.

Write to the part of you that needs love, attention and the nourishment of your own words, your current or future self, your creative side, your womb, your writer self, your mama self, your artist self, your CEO self.

• Add a little winter magic: Write in candlelight, and drop some essential oils on the letter before sealing it to open on a specific day of your choice.

I enjoy writing about wishes, dreams, hopes, or worries. these may or may not form goals later. Trust your pen will guide you.

❄️ Joyful guiding framework: love letters for each month

Write 12 short letters for the year ahead, with one “love task” for each month. Examples:

• “Book yourself a massage this month, it’s on me, your past self.”

• “Schedule time for a solo walk.”

• “Surprise someone: send a postcard or a text to tell them how much they mean to you.”

I have done this in various forms over the years and love the guidance and intention it provides. At the same time, I know that things shift and change. You can always skip things if they do not feel right anymore.

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3. Trust: yourself, your needs, and your ideas

Rituals are a great way to connect with ourselves, and, as we all know, there’s no shortage of wonderful books, podcasts and blog posts. The key is to make the rituals your own.

• What do you need right now?

• How can you adapt or simplify things so they work for you, rather than following someone else’s (aka here my) version?

Trust the season you’re in. Trust that it’s okay to take your time. Renewal doesn’t need to happen all at once.

In case you were wondering where I’m at right now

It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me last, and my letters have been more irregular than I’d hoped. If you’re new here, welcome! I’m so glad you’ve joined.

I didn’t lose momentum, I shifted priorities, evolved my goals and made space for some exciting life stuff that needed my full attention.

As I write this, it’s a casual Tuesday evening, a night some call and celebrate as New Year’s Eve. 😂 I’m tucked in bed with a sinus infection, alone in our home, embracing a quiet end to December.

I’m feeling deep compassion and gratitude, for 2024, myself, for you, and for everyone navigating this season in their own way. For those setting bold goals, for those dreaming in these long winter nights, for those who feel stuck or hard on themselves, and for those daring to start differently and try something new.

Here’s to honouring where we are and trusting the pace that feels right. 💛

See you soon 👋 In case you missed some of my most popular letters from 2024…

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