I know. In January, it’s easy to think about “hitting the ground running” to get started on those intentions and goals for the new year. It’s exciting to think about all the changes and plans. And true, all that can be important to generate some momentum. But this year, I want to also think of this idea of making time for rest in the new year as well.
The last few months of 2025 were busy for me – and I suspect for many others – so rest was at the top of my mind as we wound down the year. During the holidays, I wanted to make sure I was slowing down and taking time to enjoy the things I loved about that time of year and to be really present spending time with friends and family. It occurred to me that slowing down and resting can be just as important in seeing the new year take off.
For one thing, I like to try to set the tone for the year in January. I’d like for the year to be filled with more ease and more space for all the enjoyment I hope will come. And while there is something exciting about setting goals, I also don’t want my goals and intentions to fall by the wayside for trying to do too much in too little time.
There’s a lot of talk about making goals stick, about goals falling away after the first few weeks or sometimes months. When that’s happened for me, it’s because I tried to do all the things all at once. This year, I’m thinking more intentionally about easing into those steps that make up my goals. How can I better incorporate those things so that they start to just fit in with my life?
So maybe I should say this is more of an active rest. I will be doing the things, but slowly and letting my new or revised approaches to life (to my goals) ease into feeling more habitual. And finding other ways to incorporate these intentions. Can’t make it to the studio for a yoga class one day? At The Mat Yoga Studio, I’m grateful I have an option to take a virtual class!
And then it’s important to celebrate the wins, big and small. The big might be that amazing annual goal you make. And the small? Those little steps along the way? Those are just as important, because without those, that big goal may be harder to reach. Celebrate the journey.
Going back to this month’s theme, where does rest fit in with all that celebrating and small and big goals? Rest is part of the journey. It’s time for reflection on progress, restoring energy to take those steps, and savoring the celebrations.
This is the part of a series of posts for The Mat Yoga Studio, sharing my thoughts and observations as a student only. The views and opinions are my own experience.
