New Year, Clean Slate

Now that we are more than one week into 2026, I am at peace. I love Christmas, the holiday spirit and how the season encourages the fellowship amongst loved ones. But to be transparent and honest, I love January 2^nd. First, it’s a new year with the hopes it will be better than the last. (Isn’t that what we all hope?)  But what I really love about that first week in the new year is the calm, the quiet and the clarity to ponder. Initially, I always approached the new year with new resolutions, but I put an end to that practice years ago. Resolutions may work for some but for me, they have a way of falling by the wayside by February, if not sooner.

So, years ago, I started a new tradition that I still continue to this day. Rather than try do away with bad habits, I plan out the new year with positive ones. For each month, I do one thing that either excites me, challenges me or prompts me to take a risk. When I first started doing this tradition, it was over ten years ago. My first challenge that January was way out of my wheelhouse. I entered a New York City app challenge. The challenge was to build any type of app that would help visitors coming into the city. I had a great idea, got a team to help build and we made it into the competition. Given the brainiacs who entered, it was no surprise we didn’t win but the experience was an affirmation, “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” Then in February I went paragliding in Chamonix, France and in March I ran another half marathon but in a new location. I continued doing various activities and projects throughout the year and by December, I completed twelve memorable and personal achievements. While I continue to do that every year, another idea surfaced this past year, and I believe it’s a grand slam to get the new year off on the right foot.

Given I am a list maker, I have projects that need to get done; anywhere from writing an article, sanding a piece of furniture or purging stuff to make space. On the list are outstanding projects that I tend to put off because everything requires quality time. However, this past December, I decided to cross these items off the list by December 31^st so I can start the new year off with a clean slate. By the 31^st, every outstanding project on the list was completed. In short, before celebrating 2026, I made peace with 2025.  “Out with the old, in with the new” may sound cliché but it’s a great way to usher in a happy new year. Now, onto making a new list!