Hello, February

I love a new beginning. Whether it’s the start of a new year (especially this one!) or a new month, it always feels like a fresh start. January kind of blew by for me, which makes me a little sad. I was looking forward to it for a million reasons, mostly because it meant that 2020 was over, but also because my birthday is at the beginning of the month. This year, I turned the big 4-0, and although I approached it somewhat apprehensively, I wanted to be optimistic about beginning a new decade.

My twenties were kind of a train wreck, and it was only when I was about halfway through my thirties that I felt like I was kind of getting my life together. I spent more than twenty years in a career that did not fulfill me at all (I’m looking at you, retail management). My luck in relationships was non-existent, and I finally reached the point where I accepted that if I was going to fulfill any of my dreams, I was going to have to do it solo. When my 39th year was over, I let go of some of my baggage. So many of my friends tell me that things only get better from here.

This morning, I woke up and flipped the page on my calendar first thing. A brand new month was right there waiting for me. So many possibilities. I looked around my house and thought of so many things that I want to accomplish in the next few weeks. Furniture that I want to stain, crafts I want to make, recipes that I want to try. I have wasted so much of my time not focusing on the things that I love, and I want this year to be more about me. It feels great to write again. I have missed it.

I also decided to do a workout video from YouTube this morning. I have terrible anxiety, and it always seems to wane if I squeeze in a little exercise. So I pushed aside my ottoman, hit play, and tried to ignore the twins laughing on the couch behind me. I’m sure that I looked ridiculous, but I didn’t even mind. When it was over, I made myself a great breakfast and opened a protein shake. I felt healthier and thinner and less anxious already. I even put a cute “You Did It!” sticker in the February 1 box on my calendar. It’s a nice reminder as the month progresses that I did something for myself. It was a great start to a new month.

And for future reference, protein shakes taste better if you drink them out of a wineglass.