January's End

And just like that, New Year is over.

And just like that, January is almost over.

Coming from 2023, most were ready to face the new year with much hope and firm resolve. To do better. To love harder. To think clearer. To live better. Whatever the new year goals are, we ushered in January as a fresh start to a twelve-month journey of possibilities.

Now, the first month of that journey is over. We have eleven months remaining. But I am never one to count the days. I count moments. It is a must to show up and embrace each waking morning.

At January’s tail end, I look back at some new things I have started to do, to set the tone for the rest of the year. To be better. To laugh more. To love harder. To live more meaningfully.

Read. Write. Sing. Dance.

To read, write, sing, and dance more. I look back at my childhood and young adult years, these basic things were part and parcel of what brought me simple joy.

I read more now. I read a lot on Substack. I am currently reading a novel.

I write more now, proudly calling myself a Substacker, if I may. And someone reads my work now too.

To sing and dance.

I have yet to do this. Maybe I will start tonight, on a Saturday night. Sing with my daughter and join a TikTok session of teenagers. Or just dance on my own as my youngest child is busy learning how to DJ, mixing music. (House music is currently on as home music.)

Pilates

Movement is one thing I desire for my physical self. After trying simple pilates, I am ready to take it seriously because I love how it promotes balance, strength, flexibility, and grace. It is slow and intentional. It is thoughtful and deliberate. These exercise values align with my current phase in life and who I am as a person.

I have moved my body for 15 days now and I want to keep going.

Pinterest Cutout-collaging

Hence, the photos here.

Holly Becker of Decor8 here on Substack has given a tutorial on how to do cutout collaging on Pinterest. The popular visual discovery platform opens up another creative avenue for imaginative thinkers. Layering of illustrations, images, and cutout elements has never been this accessible and fun! Rather than scrolling mindlessly or playing lazy games to take a break, creating on Pinterest is a form of creative therapy for me.

The rest of the year will come with life’s challenges. Like every year, it is not going to be easy but the canvas is vast. As we breathe, the opportunities to create a masterpiece or just be close to it lie in our hands. I have begun to show up, choosing new things to do to embrace life fuller.

I promise to be braver.