“If you say you are going to do something, do it. If you start something, finish it.”
— Epictetus

With the new year, things traditionally get very loud: resolutions everywhere, big changes, and the collective call for a new and improved self.

I see it a little less dramatically. Yes, a new year invites reflection, and with it new intentions, wishes, and resolutions for our lives and our practice. But it really doesn’t all have to be so forced or hyper-optimized.

What I keep coming back to is how simple it is at its core. It doesn’t require 108 new rituals, a morning-routine upgrade, manifestation tools, or a full pallet of palo santo in the living room. It’s not easy—but it is simple: it’s about keeping our word to ourselves.

The mind doesn’t become calm and spacious through pressure or ambition, but through consistency and patience. Whether it’s meditation, movement, learning, or any other inner practice, what matters isn’t how much we take on—but whether we begin realistically.

When we repeatedly set goals we can’t keep, it leaves a trace. Each unkept intention quietly weakens trust, courage, and inner stability. Over time, even beginning again can feel heavier than it needs to be.

Small, digestible steps work differently. They strengthen the mind, build confidence, and support well-being. Five minutes done regularly is more valuable than an hour done once.

Maybe the invitation for this year is very simple:
Begin where you are. Start small. Finish what you begin.

There’s no rush here, and no goal that needs to be reached. Practice isn’t a competition. It’s a process we meet again and again. 💖

If you’d like to begin—or return to—this process together, join me on Tuesday, January 6 at 5pm for a 50-minute class, “Returning to Rhythm.”

We’ll meet again on January 18, the first new moon of the year—a particularly good time for new beginnings ✨