February Fresh Starts 2026: One Year of Gentle Habits & No Resolutions
Feb 1
2 min read
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If your January New Year’s resolutions fizzled out, please don’t beat yourself up. February is here—the quiet midwinter moment when life starts stirring again beneath the surface. It’s a natural time for gentle rebirth, and I’m not giving up. I hope you won’t either.
Last February, I shared how I’d been practicing ukulele for about a year and had four songs under my belt. I pictured myself strumming mellow 80s tunes, and I practiced in the late afternoon light, around 4 o’clock most days. It felt joyful and doable… until daily obligations started crowding in. Practice faded, and eventually I set the uke aside. That doesn’t mean I’m done with it forever—change can take years, and sometimes things just need space. I’ll know if (or when) the call comes back to pick it up. For now, I’m moving on without guilt. That’s the beauty of listening to what feels right.
On the other hand, relearning Spanish is still going strong. I listen to my lessons while driving—easy, low-pressure, and surprisingly consistent. There are about 20 lessons left, so plenty more to go. Who knows if it’ll fully stick once I finish? In college, I used to chat with my cat in Spanish. Maybe I’ll get another cat.
This year, I’m still pouring energy into my job—and I’m truly grateful for it. The obligations and paycheck keep me motivated without much effort. But balance matters deeply to me, so I’m carving out space for the things that feed my soul: writing my novel once a week (a lifelong love), and focusing more on feeling good in my body—slow, steady progress, never backward steps. God willing, this will be a beautiful year. I’ll do my best with peace and love in my heart, celebrating small wins as the big ones they truly are.
Here in Wisconsin, staying active is easier when the sun sticks around longer. Winter calls for routines that don’t rely on perfect weather. Habit stacking works well for me: right after my shower, I roll out the yoga mat. As long as the setup supports me, it happens naturally.
I also make sure to pair “have to” with “love to.” When outdoor weather walks aren’t possible, I set up the Gazelle in front of the TV and glide through a show for 43 minutes—cardio that feels like downtime.
I adore my backyard and communing with nature, even in the cold (though I bundle up!). But oh, I’m counting down to summer. This year I’m planning more hikes, regular gardening, and planting raspberry bushes alongside my usual tomatoes and lettuce. My three rhubarb plants are thriving—I can’t help wondering how a raspberry-rhubarb pie would taste. Sweet-tart summer magic, I bet.
As I’m learning from Atomic Habits, repetition is the real key—not perfection, just showing up consistently. Small, repeated actions build the life we want, one gentle step at a time.
Here’s to February fresh starts, wherever you are in yours. Do what feels right for you.
Peace and love,
Tracy
Recommended Reading: Atomic Habits by James Clear
