Ever wonder why January is a month that seems to last a bloody lifetime?
Why you feel like the whole "New Year, New Me" BS is JUST. TOO. MUCH. PRESSURE and all you want to do is curl up in front of the fire, drink tea (fixes everything), watch mindless TV & eat whatever is left of the Christmas cupboard!
This was me, every January, until a business coach told me, 'NO! Winter is for resting and planning' and it completely changed my view on the month. Sure, it's still the LONGEST month of the year, but the less pressure I put on myself to change into this 'new & better version of me' (BS), the more productive I seem to become!
The Depression of January all makes sense to me now. We were never meant to go with the months of the year, but rather the seasons... read on...
SPRING IS 'THE REAL NEW YEAR'!
It might surprise you to learn that the new year didn’t always begin in January. In ancient times, many cultures, including the early Romans, celebrated the start of the year in March, when nature began to awaken from its winter slumber. This makes a lot of sense when you think about it. March marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when the earth begins to bloom again, life returns to the land, and daylight lengthens. It feels like a time of awakening and renewal, a fitting metaphor for a fresh start.
WHY JANUARY??
So, how did we end up starting the new year in the dead of winter?
The Shift from March to January: Why Did It Happen?
The change to a January 1st new year can be traced back to the Romans. In 46 BC(E), Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar, aligning the months with the solar year and shifting the new year to January 1st. There were several reasons for this shift:
Political symbolism: The month of January was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, transitions, and doorways. Janus is depicted with two faces, one looking to the past and one looking to the future. It was thought that beginning the year in his month would symbolise looking back on the old year and forward into the new.
Military and civic practicality: The Romans also used January as the time when new consuls (political leaders) took office. Aligning the new year with their political calendar made administration easier.
Calendar corrections: The ancient Roman calendar had 10 months, beginning in March and ending in December. The addition of January and February created a more accurate calendar that aligned with the solar cycle.
What the Seasons Teach Us About Life
Although we’ve been conditioned to think of January as the time for fresh starts, nature itself teaches us that spring is when new life begins. The seasons mirror the rhythms of our own lives, and by tuning into these cycles, we can learn to move with more intention and ease.
Let’s explore what each season represents and how we can use it to support our personal growth:
Spring (March to May): A Season of New Beginnings
Spring is when the world awakens. Flowers bloom, animals emerge from hibernation, and everything feels alive with possibility. In our own lives, spring is a time for new ideas, fresh starts, and planting seeds for the future.
Advice for Spring:
Set new intentions and goals for the year ahead.
Embrace growth and change.
Try something new—a project, a hobby, or a habit that excites you.
Practice self-compassion as you begin again, understanding that growth takes time.
Summer (June to August): A Season of Action and Abundance
Summer is when the seeds planted in spring begin to grow. It’s a time of energy, action, and abundance. The days are long, and the sun is high, encouraging us to enjoy life to the fullest.
Advice for Summer:
Focus on taking action toward your goals.
Embrace joy and celebration.
Nourish relationships—spend time with loved ones, make memories, and appreciate your connections.
Autumn (September to November): A Season of Harvest and Reflection
Autumn is a time of harvest, when we gather the fruits of our labour and prepare for the quieter months ahead. It’s a season of gratitude and reflection.
Advice for Autumn:
Reflect on your progress- what have you accomplished, and what do you still want to achieve?
Practice gratitude for what you’ve gained.
Begin to slow down and reassess your priorities.
Winter (December to February): A Season of Rest and Renewal
In winter, nature goes into hibernation. Trees shed their leaves, animals retreat into burrows, and the earth seems to pause and breathe. It’s a time for rest and introspection.
Advice for Winter:
Allow yourself to rest and recharge.
Focus on self-care and inner work.
Let go of what no longer serves you.
Use this time to dream and plan for the year ahead.
Reclaiming March as a Time for Renewal
If the idea of New Year’s resolutions in January feels overwhelming or forced, you’re not alone. Many of us are still in hibernation mode at the start of the year, and the energy simply isn’t there for big changes.
Instead, consider adopting March as your personal New Year. Take the winter months to rest, reflect, and release. Then, when spring arrives, step into the energy of renewal and allow yourself to bloom alongside nature.
Here’s how you can make the most of this seasonal shift:
Ways to Celebrate Your New Year in March:
Create a spring ritual- Light a candle, journal about your intentions, and set goals for the months ahead.
Cleanse your space- Just as nature sheds the old, embrace spring cleaning to make room for new energy.
Get outside- Spend time in nature to connect with the renewal energy of spring.
Plant seeds, literally and metaphorically- Whether you’re planting flowers or starting a new project, think of spring as a time to nurture new beginnings.
Final Thoughts: Flow with the Seasons
In today’s fast-paced world, we often feel pressured to be productive all year long, but nature teaches us that life moves in cycles. There’s a time for growth and a time for rest, a time to take action and a time to reflect.
By aligning ourselves with the natural rhythms of the seasons, we can move through life with greater ease and intention. We can give ourselves permission to rest in the winter and bloom in the spring, just as nature intended.
So, if you’ve struggled to get going this January, remember: your new year can begin in March. Embrace the energy of spring, and allow yourself to blossom into the best version of yourself.
Here’s to a year of growth, renewal, and new beginnings.
Love & Light,
Helen x
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