A Gentle Reminder for the Start of the Year

January sure does have a way of turning the volume up on pressure, doesn’t it?

A new year begins and suddenly the expectations are everywhere. Brimming with new goals, fresh starts, and big plans, there is an unspoken belief that we should come out of the gate strong, motivated, and performing at our very best.

And if we are not, we assume something is wrong.

I will be honest, I am no different.

I have been sick for five days. When I woke up on Monday still not feeling well, I was frustrated, borderline angry. I even joked with my husband, Mat, that I was ready to “set the world on fire.” Not exactly the mindset I had planned to start the week, or the year, with.

But instead of pushing through or beating myself up for not being where I thought I should be, I have been practicing something far less flashy, and far more important, patience.

I am working where I can, when I can.

I am focusing on what is possible. Can I write another story or set of posts for WIA while I have a bit of energy? Can I review my material for next week’s communication class I am teaching in the moments my head is clear and not foggy from medicine?

I am letting progress count, even when it looks different than I imagined.

Perfection is an exhausting standard, especially at the beginning of the year. It demands outcomes without acknowledging reality. It ignores seasons, health, capacity, and humanity. Many of us chase this impossible standard with relentless ambition, wearing burnout and busyness as a badge of honor.

Can I share something important with you?

Growth does not require perfection.
It requires presence.
It requires adaptability.
And often, it requires grace.

Sometimes progress is loud and visible. Other times it is quiet, choosing rest over hustle, alignment over urgency, and wisdom over pressure. Those moments matter just as much, even if no one else sees them.

If you are already feeling behind this year, let this be your reminder, you are not failing. You are learning how to move forward in a way that is sustainable.

Seek progress.
Choose growth.
Release the need to perform perfectly.

Because sometimes the most meaningful work happens when we slow down just enough to listen to what we actually need and show integrity by caring for ourselves in the way we need.

If this message resonated with you, I would love to invite you to subscribe to my weekly newsletter, Better Than Yesterday.

It is a quiet check in, a space for reflection, encouragement, and steady growth without the pressure to perform. Each week, we focus on becoming just a little better than yesterday, in ways that are honest, grounded, and sustainable.