Dear Second Day of January,
I showed up imperfectly. It’s 7:29 PM, and I’m taking a break from being bedridden. I’ve been rotting more days than not, working minimally, and being unkind to myself about it. My productive value feels lower than usual, and I trap myself in my room while my priorities idle in my mind.
Another part of me says, fuck it—it’s only the second day of the year. And today, I’m choosing that voice. The work will get done. Trust.
2025 was a whirlwind. A bumpy start, a dip in the middle, and a full downhill crash at the end. It took me over a year to finally let go of a past flame. Friendships shifted. Depression settled in. My left eye went out of commission and is still recovering. A car accident added more problems and appointments. Moving was the hardest change. And athlete’s foot was the cherry on top—which I’m still dealing with (rude).
Slowly but surely, I’ve adapted to these setbacks while still working on healing.
All these moments and hardships in life are teaching me something. My instinct immediately wants to delay these lessons. It makes me realize how precious time is. How time is the only thing we can never get back. How every regret turns into wishful thought about taking back the time. These growing moments are uncomfortable, but they’re necessary.
Financial Literacy
I think I’m okay with money, but I want a healthier relationship with it. This year, I will open a high-yield savings account. No more thinking about it, just doing it. I want to learn the basics of investing, track my spending, budget intentionally, and pay bills on time.
First step: open the savings account before the first full week of January ends.
Respect Time
I’ve been a little late my whole life. This year, I want to be early. I don’t want to wait on people anymore. I want to show up for myself and for others, and be more mindful of time.
First step: aim to arrive 10 minutes early—even if I sit in the car scrolling.
Read More
I want to get lost in books. I want to use my brain, expand my vocabulary, and learn new things.
First step: read 10 pages a day. Not a chapter. Not a whole book. Just 10 pages.
Prioritize Overall Health
I restarted therapy and want to stay consistent while working toward a better mindset. I also want to free myself from nicotine addiction. It’s ridiculous how much space it takes up in my head—especially living with someone who vapes. I hate how often I think about it. I’m also working toward being sober and partying less.
First step: don’t quit perfectly—just don’t quit quitting.
Community
I want to find community that actually feels like belonging. I’ve always felt like a floater. I want to feel safe, at peace, and fully myself. I want to do more wholesome things.
First step: say yes to one low-pressure, non-party plan each month.
Consistency
I want consistency in everything: my routines, workouts, job, time management, and relationships—with myself, my family, and my friends.
First step: consistency over intensity. Showing up halfway still counts.
January 2 didn’t need perfection. It needed honesty.
And I gave it that.
areudirty
jbbartram-illu
tangentwithtanner
germansingergirl
prguitarman
snowghoul
