Happy Quitter’s Day
A Love Letter from Mother Earth, herself
My Beloveds,
It’s the second Friday of January (Today - 10th), and like clockwork, humanity’s grand plans for the new year start unraveling faster than a cheap sweater. Some have coined today as Quitter’s Day, the moment when roughly 80% of people abandon their New Year’s resolutions. (Thanks, The Spirit, for the stats and the guilt trip.)
But, darlings, while you humans sprint out of the gate every January, have you ever stopped to notice what I (Mother Earth) am doing?
Spoiler alert: Absolutely nothing new.
I’m still in my PJs (snow, frost, maybe a little ice), cuddled up with my cozy blanket of winter. Trees? Bare. Animals? Hibernating. Fields? Taking five. And here you are, bursting out of the holiday haze, demanding of yourselves “New Year, New Me” energy before the glitter of New Year’s Eve has even been vacuumed from the carpet.
It’s cute, really.
Let’s backtrack. The tradition of setting New Year’s resolutions actually began with the Babylonians—in mid-March. Yes, March! A time when things make sense: the spring equinox, the planting season, the literal rebirth of life. They weren’t waking up from the holiday carb-coma to declare, “This is the year I’ll do a juice cleanse and run a marathon!” They waited for the world to thaw.
So why did we move the calendar’s start to January? Blame the Romans. Specifically, Julius Caesar, who introduced the Julian calendar in 46 BCE. January was named after Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings and endings. It’s a lovely concept, sure, but Janus isn’t exactly out here planting flowers or cueing up bird songs in January, is he?
Back to Quitter’s Day.
You’ve pushed yourselves to set ambitious goals immediately after the most exhausting season of the year. I’ve seen you: crawling out of the holiday wreckage, arms full of credit card debt, leftover pie, and unmet deadlines from last year. And somehow, amid all that chaos, you expect to reinvent yourselves in a matter of weeks? Sweetheart, even I take a full season to recharge.
While you’re out there over-scheduling and burning out, I’m relishing my winter vibes. January and February are my reset buttons. The animals hibernate, the trees hold off on blooming, and even the sun clocks out early. Winter is about reflecting on what was, savoring what is, and preparing for what’s next—slowly. No wonder 80% of you give up your resolutions; you’re fighting against the natural rhythm of things.
Take a cue from the mama here.
Winter is your pause-for-the-cause season.
It’s a time to:
Reflect on the wins of the past year (yes, even the tiny ones—survived Aunt Karen’s holiday drama? Victory!).
Honor the person you were and how you’ve grown. (Like really do it!)
Assess what really matters to you now, not just what looked good on Instagram last week. (Think about what brought you joy and peace last year!)
Rest without guilt, because even the most productive soil needs to lie fallow sometimes. (Give yourself time to fertilize what you are planting for the coming year)
By March, when the first blooms of spring start peeking through, you’ll naturally feel ready to take on new goals. Until then, give yourself permission to hibernate—metaphorically, at least. Swap that gym membership for long walks. Replace the crash diets with nourishing soups. And for the love of me, stop beating yourself up if you’re not launching a new business or mastering French by February.
The irony is that what is trending is that humans have embraced the idea of slowing down in theory. You post about mindfulness, share memes about “being present,” and swoon over hygge aesthetics. But the second January hits, you’re all, “GO GO GO!” New Year NEW ME! Time to prioritize and set those goals!
Meanwhile, I’m over here, the OG mindfulness influencer, reminding you that winter’s chill isn’t an obstacle—it’s an invitation to pause.
So, on this Quitter’s Day, I invite you to
Quit the hustle.
Quit the pressure to have it all figured out before the frost thaws.
Quit thinking you’re behind just because you’re not sprinting through January.
Instead, embrace the wisdom of winter. I’m keeping it cold and cozy for your well-being—giving you permission to rest, reflect, and recharge. Trust me, the blooms of spring are in no rush, and neither should you be.
With love, warmth, and a dash of frost,
Mother Earth - XO
