fresh start effect

​I feel it every January and have for many years, likely because my adult-life Decembers historically brought mayhem to my life, my routine, and my ability to think straight while ensuring every other person in my world had their traditions honored.
 
My longing and love for January has never been attached to New Year’s resolutions—which I do not make. I look to January as my clean slate, a relief, a deep breath. Whatever stress came with the never-ending December list is completely erased. Poof. I embrace my return to normalcy with energy and optimism.
 
What I did not know is that there is a name for this condition! When I read several articles this year about the Fresh Start Effect, there it was, what I have always known but did not have a title for.
 
“Rooted in behavioral science, the fresh start effect is the psychological boost we experience when temporal landmarks, such as the beginning of a new year, month, or week, help us mentally separate our past selves from our future potential.” *
 
Fortunately, we can apply a fresh start to any moment we choose. January has already reach its edge, but I am holding onto the feeling of newness.
 
If I finally learned one tiny truth that can have big impact it is this:  any new month, any new week, any new day can be the new start we need.
 
*Definition from Jodi Wellman MAPP, in Psychology Today blog posted December 2024.