Release in 2022
I don’t really do New Year’s resolutions, but I do choose an annual word.
Some years the selection process takes a lot of time and reflection, and sometimes the word instantly presents itself. This year I got an instant answer, which is convenient since I had virtually no time for reflection.
My word for 2022 is “release.” This word is exactly the guidepost I need, for many reasons. And it feels fitting that, in some ways, “release” is a continuation of my 2021 word, “receive.”
I’d love to see explain why in more depth, but as I typed that last paragraph I heard my toddler crying, and so now I am typing this paragraph from my cell in baby jail, aka from bed in a dark room, and even though it is early evening on a Saturday night and I would rather be in the living room eating ice cream and watching a movie, I will quit while I’m ahead and resign myself to sleep because I’m exhausted anyway, and I did score the victory already of going upstairs and doing MommaStrong, which is what inspired me to write to you.
Because although, as I said, I don’t do New Year's resolutions, I still appreciate the prospect of a fresh start, and I think it’s reasonably possible that I could do MommaStrong every day for the next year, particularly because showing up for MommaStrong is such a flexible endeavor—it counts even if I “just” do a five-minute video. Even if that video is “just” stretching.
And as I wrapped up tonight’s five-minute video and colored in the section for January 1 (Did I mention there’s a coloring page calendar? Honestly, the coloring page calendar is a pretty big motivator.), I assured myself it was possible I could find five minutes every day to show up in some sort of way. I deserve at least five minutes of stretching.
And then I remembered that sometimes MommaStrong calls stretching “release.”
So attempting daily show-ups in 2022 seems meant to be, but I always do better with accountability, hence the decision to tell you about it.
Aaaaand now B is back asleep, so maybe I will see if I can get away with that ice cream after all.
Love > fear,
(M)om
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