It’s the new year, tine for “new year, new me”, all the goals and resolutions, and for hitting the ground running. But. What if you don’t hit the ground running? What if the start of your new year is a bit slower, a bit more walking? Is that bad? Is it worse to walk into the new year rather than run?
These are the questions that I can’t help but ask myself over and over, this full week into 2023. It’s not that I don’t have goals, resolutions, things I want to change- I do. And I’m sure that there are multiple people are writing multiple things around this time about the tried and true methods to get motivated to achieve all the things you have planned this year. I’m not anti any of that (and honestly am currently taking any tips that I can right now!).
The thing is, my year has gotten off to a slow start. There have been days when my internet was down, my allergies were incredibly bad, and days spent waiting on repairmen. While I would love to tell you how ahead I am and what progress I’ve made, instead of running I’m truly walking into the new year. (Fun fact: in “normal times” I LOVE to walk, I have nothing against walking!)
Yet, even being a lover of walking, there’s something about this time of year that makes me feel as if slow starts aren’t what I should be aiming for- which makes it a struggle when you are walking instead of running. Then. I can’t help remember the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare- aka slow and steady wins the race- meaning that my slow start means nothing as long as I’m moving forward.
And I’m also moved by something a friend of mine recently said to me- that the only way we get to where we want to be is to make the next best decision. We move slow, make mistakes, can’t control everything- all we can do is take where we are and make the next best decision to get us closer to the place/person/situation we want to be. When I look at it that way, that I’m only responsible for the next best choice, I don’t mind walking. In fact, often when I go walking I find things that I missed previously. Walking gives me a chance to be intentional about where I’m going, I do love running, and I love getting where I’m going quickly, but I am not going to regret moving a bit slower towards my goals, as long as I’m moving!
How are you moving into the new year? Running? Walking? How are you managing your progress towards your goals and how are you feeling about them? I would love to know all about it and any tips you have for going from a walk to a jog!
Wishing us all a week of forward motion and amazing shoes!
XO RA