When Growth Doesn’t Wait for a Calendar.

“We have four New Years in a year in Malaysia… which means we can reset almost every quarter!” my colleague and I announced proudly to a colleague from Europe. 

“Ah, such privilege!” she quipped, and we burst into laughter, spiraling into a lighthearted conversation about how often we get to “start over.”

But beneath the jokes, a real question lingered for me: What goals are we actually setting for ourselves?

Personally, I don’t set New Year resolutions anymore. I’ve learned that waiting for a date on the calendar delays the growth that wants to happen now. Instead, I start new habits the moment I notice something within me asking for attention. Recently, that “something” has been my thoughts; how quickly they run, how easily they react, how subtly they shape my day. So, I’ve begun observing them from a neutral place, like a gentle witness rather than a judge.

As healers, practitioners of healing modalities, or simply humans trying to do better, we often rush to “fix” every uncomfortable feeling or thought. But not every negative thought needs deep healing. Sometimes it’s just the residue of mindless scrolling, a tired body, or a hungry stomach. Sometimes the kindest thing we can do is pause, breathe, and let the thought pass without attaching a story to it.

While we’re at it, it’s worth reflecting on other habits too. How many times have we flipped when things didn’t go our way, not because the situation was dramatic, but because the mind was cluttered? How often do we buy more products, packages, or programs for our bodies instead of simply eating better, resting more, or listening to what our system really needs?

Maybe the real reset isn’t about the New Year at all. Maybe it begins the moment we choose to pay attention to our thoughts, our nourishment, and our gratitude. It’s about noticing, right here and right now, where a gentler habit could begin.

If you were to reset one gentle habit today, what would it be?

Musings by,

Logappriya Rajendran