Let me ask you something: why are we always waiting for January 1st? What is it about flipping a calendar page that makes us believe that’s the magical moment we’ll finally get our lives together? It’s like we’ve collectively decided that December is a write-off—a month of indulgence, procrastination, and excuses because “I’ll start fresh in the new year.” But what if we didn’t wait?
Look, I get it. The allure of a clean slate is powerful. But let’s be real—how many New Year’s resolutions have you actually kept? Be honest. Most resolutions don’t even make it to February. They’re too big, too vague, or too disconnected from our everyday lives. And that’s because change doesn’t happen in grand gestures. It happens in the small, consistent steps we take every day. Starting now, not later.
On the farm, we don’t get the luxury of waiting for a “perfect moment.” If a fence needs fixing, it doesn’t care that it’s December 29th. If the chickens need feeding or the soil needs prepping, the work gets done when it’s needed—not when it’s convenient. Farming is a constant reminder that the best time to start is now. Waiting means missing opportunities or worse, creating bigger problems down the line.
Let’s apply that same thinking to life. Want to eat better? Start with one meal today. It doesn’t have to be a perfectly curated salad or a Pinterest-worthy smoothie bowl. Cook something simple and real. Shop locally, if you can. Take one small step toward a better plate, and then do it again tomorrow.
Dreaming of a garden in the spring? Stop dreaming and start planning. Get your seeds picked out, sketch out your garden beds, or build that compost pile. Waiting until January 1st—or worse, March—will leave you scrambling. Trust me, I’ve been there. Start small and start now.
And it’s not just about the “big” resolutions. Maybe it’s reconnecting with someone you’ve been meaning to call, or carving out ten minutes to sit in silence and just breathe. Small acts, repeated consistently, have a way of transforming everything over time. That’s the real secret—change isn’t a destination; it’s a journey.
So here’s my challenge to you: Forget waiting for the ball to drop. Forget the grand declarations and sweeping promises. Just start. Today. Pick one thing—something small, something doable—and take that first step. Because the truth is, January 1st is just another day. But today? Today is already here, waiting for you.
Until next time,
Traci
