It’s January 2nd at 10am. I open my computer, power through emails, then open a blank Word document. I sit at my desk and stare at the empty page, the cursor blinking at me, patiently waiting for me to begin. I sip my coffee. I think, It’s only 500 words. The cursor blinks louder. I glance down and see Mabel snoring in her bed next to me, not a care in the world. I take another sip. I begin.
A fresh start is always available, yet we tend to wait for one. A Monday. The beginning of the month. The start of a new school year. A birthday. January 1st. We like a clean line in the sand before we begin something new—eating better, moving our bodies, giving something up, starting again.
There’s a name for this: temporal landmarks. They’re moments in time that create a psychological break from the past and give us a sense of renewal moving forward. They make optimism feel possible. In her book How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, Katy Milkman explains why timing matters so much when it comes to change—and why beginnings feel powerful.
You know how this goes. We’ve all made New Year’s resolutions, and most of them don’t stick. Or they stick for a bit… until life resumes and we slide back into old habits. Often it’s because our goals are too vague. “Get in shape” sounds nice, but what does it actually mean? Maybe it’s simply walking into the gym three times a week and moving your body. Specific. Doable.
For the past several years, I’ve given myself the audacious goal of writing a memoir. Every January, it’s my resolution. And every year, I start and stop more times than I care to admit. Friends ask, How’s the book coming along? and I usually answer, Unfortunately… not great.
This year, I decided to try something different. Instead of a lofty, fuzzy goal, I made it specific: I’m writing 500 words a day. That’s it. Small. Manageable. I can put it on my to-do list and assign it a time. I can cross it off. It forces me to get my butt in the chair—and once I start, I usually find my rhythm and keep going.
If I write 500 words a day for six months, I’ll end up with about 91,250 words. That’s a book. Sounds simple, right? Ha. Today I’m at 414 words.
Alongside my daily writing goal, I’ve also made a list for 2026. I listen to the Happier podcast with Gretchen Rubin while walking Mabel, and each year Gretchen creates a list of intentions. This year’s is “26 in 2026”—twenty-six things she’d like to do or work on, divided into categories like Relationships, Productivity, and Energy. Some are meaningful. Some are small. Some are purely whimsical.
I love that. A gentle roadmap. A reminder of what matters and what sounds fun. My list includes things like learning a little French for an upcoming trip, trying Orange Theory, and finally setting up a Mahjong group.
A fresh start doesn’t have to be dramatic. Sometimes it’s just opening a document, sipping your coffee, and typing the first sentence—while your dog snores nearby and the cursor waits patiently for you to begin.
Happy 2026!
Regina
I’d like to be around to read to your memoir. It will be amazing.
View moreI just turned seventy six. The years passed faster than I would ever have imagined. It really is the blink of an eye.
At Christmas I was gifted a thing called Storyworth. Each week I am sent an email with a question designed to prompt writing about my life. After a year it will be saved in a book. I’m doing my best to make
I’d like to be around to read to your memoir. It will be amazing.
View lessI just turned seventy six. The years passed faster than I would ever have imagined. It really is the blink of an eye.
At Christmas I was gifted a thing called Storyworth. Each week I am sent an email with a question designed to prompt writing about my life. After a year it will be saved in a book. I’m doing my best to make it a worthwhile read for my children and grandchildren. I am the end of the line in terms of family history so I get frequent requests from cousins adn grandchildren asking that I write the “old” stories down, especially the ones from Italy. It would be shame for that old history to be lost forever.
Thanks for the info regarding the podcast. Who can’t use some things to work on in the new year?
Happy and Healthy New Year to all. Healthy will be my main focus as that should take care of happy.
What an amazing idea! Your kids and Grandkids will love to have that. 76… I remember your 50th! Crazy time is flying so fast. Let’s get coffee or lunch on the books!
What an amazing idea! Your kids and Grandkids will love to have that. 76… I remember your 50th! Crazy time is flying so fast. Let’s get coffee or lunch on the books!
View lessI was hoping you had forgotten that crazy 50th surprise party when I showed up in sweats. I still hate surprises but I love remembering the sweet children who were part of my life. Hannah and Connor always made me smile and were the best therapy for my empty nest syndrome.
View moreI’m going to hope we can have a little meet up in February for a couple of special birthdays coming up soon. I miss
I was hoping you had forgotten that crazy 50th surprise party when I showed up in sweats. I still hate surprises but I love remembering the sweet children who were part of my life. Hannah and Connor always made me smile and were the best therapy for my empty nest syndrome.
View lessI’m going to hope we can have a little meet up in February for a couple of special birthdays coming up soon. I miss seeing you and Laura.