Just Breathe

Just Breathe

After all the fireworks, parties, and resolutions, January 1st is really just another day. But somehow we feel a sense of expectation, and often, pressure for it to be something more than what it is: just another day. You have permission to release all that pressure and all those expectations and, today, just breathe.

Self-improvement can happen any day, and it doesn’t have to be such a big deal. Tiny changes in daily habits or mindsets can cause enormous benefits. Think incremental, not monumental.

My advice? Skip the resolutions. I don’t know about you, but I don’t need to give my inner-judge any more reasons to beat myself up. Skip the deadlines. Every day is a new day and a new opportunity to tweak daily habits that may not be serving us so well anymore.

Give yourself a break from perfection and focus on making progress—your own progress—however you want to measure it for whatever goal you have in mind.

All kinds of days make up a lifetime. Some days may require big effort and courage. Days may be full of excitement and new activities. Many days are only mundane maintenance, and there are challenging days when it takes effort just to breathe.

Be mindful. Be purposeful. Be present. We truly live only one day at a time. Focus on how each day can be the best day. Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, “So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.”

Sure, it’s a new year. So what. Relax and live it!


21 responses to “Just Breathe”

  1. Lisa or Li Avatar

    Dana, thanks for the reminder. We are often our worst critics.

  2. Awakening Wonders Avatar

    Great advice to start the new year off! Happy 2026!

  3. Don White Avatar

    “Relax and live it!” I love it. Good post.

  4. jeffrey3 Avatar
    1. Dana at Regular Girl Devos Avatar

      Hello, thanks for reading!

  5. Wynne Leon Avatar

    Mindful, purposeful, present – beautifully said, Dana! Thank you for the wonderful and timely reminder to live accordingly!

    1. Dana at Regular Girl Devos Avatar

      Thank you, Wynne, may your days be full of beautiful moments!

  6. Grant at Tame Your Book Avatar

    Well said, Dana, and helps us focus on manifesting the Fruit of the Spirit!

    1. Dana at Regular Girl Devos Avatar

      Well said, Grant, thank you!

  7. davidsdailydose8c8e29093b Avatar
    davidsdailydose8c8e29093b

    This is excellent, Dana! “Think incremental, not monumental.”  I’m putting that down in my journal. Blessings!

    Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

    1. Dana at Regular Girl Devos Avatar

      Oh, wow, great to hear, David! Blessings to you as well!

  8. Rosie Meadow Avatar

    Great perspective for this new year! ~ Rosie

    1. Dana at Regular Girl Devos Avatar

      Thank you for reading and stopping to comment, Rosie! May your year be full of lovely, mindful moments!

    1. Dana at Regular Girl Devos Avatar

      Thanks so much and may your days be joyful!

  9. nostalgicitalian Avatar

    Sound advice. If I’m going to make resolutions, they will be ones I can achieve. Like resolving to drive my wife crazy – consider it done!

    1. Dana at Regular Girl Devos Avatar

      Right, Keith, we just have to make the right resolutions! 🤣

  10. Anna Powaska Avatar

    I really love this perspective! There’s so much pressure around New Year’s resolutions, and your reminder to focus on small, meaningful changes instead of chasing perfection really resonates with me. Progress over perfection feels like such a healthy mindset. Thank you for sharing this—it’s a great way to start the year!

    1. Dana at Regular Girl Devos Avatar

      So much pressure is right, Anna! Thank you for your lovely comment!

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