January Revisited

Photo by Tamar Waskey on Unsplash

Featured in the Dayton Daily News

I think the celestial gods have it all wrong.  I’d like to know who decided that January was the time to reevaluate and set new goals for life.  The first few weeks of any new year are inundated with suggestions on how to lose weight, eat healthier, and adopt resolutions to be a better you. Wake up and exercise, says the morning talk show twenty-something in spandex. I can’t help but think she is freezing in her skimpy outfit.  Work on relationships, they say, by spending 10 minutes a day sharing “appreciations.”  I don’t know about you, but cultivating a relationship with Netflix sounds pretty good on these cold dark days. Try substituting ice cream with frozen pureed bananas, they say, urging healthier eating habits.  No words in response to that one. January, I argue, is a time to nest.  After the Holiday busyness, it is nice to just take a deep breath and relax. Think of it like cocoon living.  Why now would I possibly want to lose weight when my daily uniform of sweat pants has at least 10 more pounds of leverage?  Who cares about healthy eating when all I want is a creamy potato chowder to warm my insides as the snow lingers beyond the kitchen window.  And really, where are winter’s incentive to motivate other than waiting for the groundhog to remind us that winter isn’t going anywhere? 

This is the time to settle into comfort. While the cold winds bluster, meatloaf with mashed potatoes is much more appealing than quinoa and kale salad. And crafting some road to new beauty? Well, I’ve put my makeup drawer on hold until further notice. Glamour in January? Wrapped scarves and zipped-up coats offer acceptable adornment. Moisturizing my wrinkles is enough beauty tending for me. My goals include staying warm, getting lost in a good book, and allowing myself permission to remain still long enough to enjoy a steaming cup of hot tea.

So, here’s my suggestion. Let’s have this conversation in April, and follow nature’s example of redefinition. When slumbering trees awaken peeking green buds of renewal, then it is time to join the bandwagon of refreshment. Spring welcomes the journey towards awakening. When the daffodil shoots defy the lingering chill, it is time to defy the aging process and move among restored beauty. And when the sunshine offers the opportunity to swap wool for cotton, we can be assured of nature’s promise to provide inspiration in how to better ourselves. I will be the first to walk among the sprouting grass, but for now it’s all about my fleece lined slippers. Come April, I will seek the farmer’s markets and savor the crunch and ignition of fresh and healthy food. For now, a hearty beef stew simmers atop the back burner of my stove. And although my days of sporting a bathing suit in style are quite long gone, my niece’s summer wedding will motivate me wear with splendor my excitement. Until then, happiness can be found in the current call for coziness topped with whipped cream. As we navigate the quiescence of winter, I vote all resolutions be allowed some space. Let’s take the opportunity to rekindle simple joys of our status quo. I, for one, think it’s ok to rest a bit, so that we don’t miss the wonder of simplicity without the self-criticism. Perhaps if we allow some time to be still and accept our imperfections, creativity will speak between the deep breaths of our “doing nothing.” And don’t let anyone tell you “doing nothing” is doing nothing. I hear my mother’s voice reminding me that stillness is where dreams are born. The year is young. Surely, our challenges are many. At least for a time, let’s embrace our shortcomings and find solace in the comfort of ourselves and one another. Even the caterpillar needs a cocoon in order to grow wings. I think I’d rather take my example from the butterfly. Until the balminess of Spring encourages flight, I will remain quite happy nestled, burrowed and challenged to find solace in really… not much. Hot chocolate anyone?