No, you don’t need to check your calendars– today is February 9, not January 1.
Maybe you’re thinking: she’s on one of those inspirational jags, urging us to see our lives afresh each day.
No, that’s not it.
Or, you think, oh, she’s using one of those implicit New Year’s resolutions gone awry memes to make a point about resolutions and habits.
Nope.
My late start to 2020 is more practical in nature. January was a complete blur of a month this year. I was sick as a dog with a virus/sinus infection all month, I had 19 tenure committee meeting to prepare for, attend and then to write six letters for, I started classes January 23, and finally, I was finishing up my job as co-warden of my church. Today is our church annual meeting, where we elect new wardens.
This means that as of today, Feb 9, I am DONE with my church leadership job. I am DONE with my university tenure committee, I am DONE with this wretched virus/sinus thing, and I am READY to get going on my year. But what does that mean?
Mainly it means moving. January was exhausting. All I could do was work and sleep, and very occasionally do a little yoga and walking. I miss movement. I miss strength training. I miss cycling (albeit on the trainer these days). I miss daily yoga. But my new year is starting today, so I can get back to those things, starting with a vengeance!
Wait— hold on a minute. What was true on Jan 1 is still true on Feb 9. It’s not like Feb 9 resolutions are any less prone to over-enthusiasm and unrealistic expectations than Jan 1 resolutions. I mean, my head is filled with all the new year’s advice we have to manage and make sense of:
- Just do it.
- Be in the moment.
- Breathe.
- Forget the past.
- Today is a new day.
- Focus on the process, not the product.
- Failure is not an option.
- Failure is your friend.
- ACK!
So what should I do and how should I do it?
I’m starting by walking to yoga class this afternoon. I’m setting up my bike trainer in my study, too. My yoga mat and some weights are in the living room. It’s time to move, one day at a time. Also, it’s time to make plans to do physical activities with friends, and put together a weekly doable schedule. I’ll check in next month to report on how things are going.
What about you, dear readers? How is your new year going? We can declare restarts any time we want. Or we can just restart every day. This whole dedicated habit structure thing is not my forte, but I’d welcome your thoughts or ideas about what works for you.
