Fresh Starts & Brighter Days
- Kim Lengling
- Jan 2
- 3 min read
By Kim Lengling
January has a particular kind of stillness. The holiday glitter has faded, the decorations are tucked away, and suddenly the world feels a little quieter… maybe even a bit too quiet. For many, this time of year brings excitement for fresh beginnings. For others, especially those who live with PTSD, depression, anxiety, or the weight that darkness and winter months carry, January can feel like a steep hill to climb.
Wherever your heart stands today, take a breath and know this: A new chapter is waiting for you.
Some like to start each year with big resolutions, new habits, new goals, and big changes. But what if the biggest and bravest step you take in 2026 is simply choosing to believe in yourself?
Hope Grows in Small Steps. Dreams aren’t always loud. Sometimes they begin as quiet whispers.
• Maybe I’ll write that book.
• Maybe I’ll adopt that sweet dog.
• Maybe I’ll walk a little farther today.
• Maybe I’ll reach out and ask for help.
These “maybes” are powerful. They are tiny seeds of possibility. And here’s a truth I’ve learned through my own journey: You don’t need to have everything figured out to start moving forward. You only need one step. One moment of courage. One flicker of hope.
Even if yesterday was hard, here you are in a new day. That matters.
When doubt shows up, let hope speak louder. Doubt loves to show up in January, dressed up in questions like:
“Who do you think you are?”
“What if you fail?”
“What if nothing changes?”
But here’s what doubt forgets: you’ve already survived every hard day before this one. You’ve already proven your strength. You’ve already started again and again, even when no one noticed.
That makes you brave. That makes you capable. That makes your next step worth taking.
A New Year Doesn’t Demand Perfection. Some days you’ll feel determined, energized, and ready to chase dreams with full force. And some days… you won't. Both kinds of days count.
On the days when PTSD flares, when memories sting, or loneliness echoes a little louder, remind yourself: rest is also progress. Healing takes time, breath, patience, and grace.
There is no timeline you have to follow. No rulebook for how quickly you should “feel better.”
Let light in, even on cloudy days. Winter can feel long and gray, especially for those already fighting battles in silence.
Try finding one small thing that brings a spark of joy each day:
A warm cup of coffee in your favorite mug
A dog happily wagging their tail
A walk, even if it’s just to the mailbox and back
A book that makes you smile
A moment of stillness to say, “I’m doing the best I can.”
Those sparks add up and become warmth and light.
So let’s make a pact. Let’s say YES to you this year. 2026 is not asking you to become someone new. It's inviting you to remember who you already are.
Strong. Worthy. Loved. Needed. Here for a purpose.
Your dreams, the big ones and the tiny ones, they matter. Your goals, no matter how simple, matter. Your heart and your voice matter.
So, take the step. Send the message. Try the thing. Chase that long-held dream. And if you stumble along the way, who cares! It’s okay. Stand up. Try again. Keep going.
You deserve a year filled with joy, growth, and hope, not because everything will be easy, but because you will keep choosing to rise.
Here’s to fresh starts.
Here’s to courage.
Here’s to YOU.
Happy New Year, friend — may it be bright.
Kim
Explore Kim’s books:
Nuggets of Hope: Cultivate Kindness – Stories that remind us that the smallest actions can create the biggest ripples.
15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness – Heartwarming lessons from the pets who love us best.
Tune in to the Let Fear Bounce Podcast for weekly conversations that inspire courage, hope, and a good laugh.
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