January

A Reminder To Breathe Again

A cold January morning in Hoosick Falls, NY

It is only a few days into the month, but the weeks leading up to it have already delivered snow, cold, and the familiar year-end buzz we have all come to expect. Over the years, I have intentionally designed a life with less stress at home and worked toward a career that does not demand squeezing every last penny out of the final working days of the year. That kind of peace does not come easily. It starts with learning to live with less and choosing to surround yourself with people who value time and memories more than the opinions of shareholders.

It was at the height of my career that I realized much of the stress I carried was self-imposed, driven by my own pursuit of what I believed success was supposed to look like. That same trait was something many of my previous employers found valuable and easy to exploit. I do not fully blame them. It is human nature to take what is offered and benefit from it. The real issue was that I could no longer see the forest for the trees. I was locked into a grind that benefited others more than it benefited me. When you are that deep in it, who is really looking out for you in the long run to make sure you do not burn yourself out? If leaders and mentors cannot recognize when their protégés are nearing that edge, they have failed not only the individual, but the larger project they are trying to build.

As the days grow shorter, the motivation to leave a warm bed becomes harder to find. No matter how many influencers insist you must wake up at 5 a.m., start your day with a workout, and follow their prescribed formula for success, I have learned that while routine is foundational for me, rest matters too. January and February are some of the hardest months for those of us living in the cold northern hemisphere. Seasonal depression shows up in many forms, and for me it often looks like struggling to leave the couch with a stack of books within arm’s reach. Even with projects waiting, it takes extra effort to trudge through the snow, turn on the heater in the garage, then retreat back into the house like a field mouse while waiting for the space to warm to a tolerable fifty degrees. Some days, that effort feels heavier than others.

Writing serves as therapy for me. It allows me to put into words the reminders and affirmations I need to carry myself through another winter week. As I hunker down through a few more stretches of harsh weather and begin planning for the year ahead, I am reminding myself to leave room for grace and leniency. Life happens, and adaptation is part of the deal. I am learning to trust my focus and listen to my body when it demands rest.

This is a reminder that it is okay to work hard and chase your dreams, but do it for yourself. Do not place your faith in others to make it happen. In the end, they are chasing their own dreams too.