Welcome to Beginning Anew

December was such a full month. Between the laughter, celebrations we still held space for God within us. My hope for you is that you found some stillness within the rush. Even if it was just for a few minutes on a stoep somewhere with a cup of tea or coffee before the world wakes up.

As we step into a new year, my hope for you is that same sense of peace, hope and presence stay with you long after the decorations have been packed away.

Now January is here, and the world wants us to sprint with new goals and habits. A brand new you by the end of the week, month or year. I don’t know about you, this kind of pressure makes me want to crawl back under a duvet.

This month I’m doing things a bit differently. The summer days are still long, the holidays are slowly winding down. Schools are starting up soon. Going back to work might be in the works for those of us who had a shutdown during January. Here I want to begin the year the way the light begins the day. Slowly without forcing anything.

This month I’m holding onto this verse:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17

New isn’t something I have to manufacture. It’s something God is already doing. My part is to notice it and make a little room.

This is my personal invitation to you to come and explore with me journaling prompts for beginning anew.

Setting the Vibe: My Intentions for the Month

This month, I’m focusing on beginnings that are not demanding. Here’s what’s on my mind:

• My Main Intention for January: To choose one word for the year instead of a long list of resolutions. One word I can carry, pray over and come back to when things get overwhelmed.
• A Rhythm for My Body: Making the most of the long summer evenings or even mornings.
• A Rhythm for My Mind: Clearing or cleaning out. It can be one drawer, one shelf, one folder on my laptop at a time. One thing will lead to another. I have given more than 50% of my clothes away that accumulated over the years. That felt so freeing. Space on the outside helps me find space on the inside.
• A Rhythm for My Soul: Starting my mornings with a short prayer before I pick up my phone. Even just, “Good morning, Lord. Here I am.” I’m calling it my kettle prayers.

I’ll also keep a little “new things” list at the back of my journal this month. Every time I notice something new (a new thought, a new kindness, a new bit of courage), I’m going jot it down. I’m curious to see how much newness God slips in when I’m paying attention.

My Weekly Journaling Prompts

Here’s how I’m breaking down the month. Just a few minutes each day to sit with what’s ending and what’s beginning.

Week 1: Letting the Old Year Rest (1 to 7 January)

Before we rush into the new, let’s give the old year a proper goodbye.

What am I carrying out of last year that I don’t need to bring with me?

What can I lay down at God’s feet this week?

• Write down three moments from last year you want to remember. What made them meaningful?
• What is one thing that didn’t go the way you hoped? Can you write a “good” goodbye?
• Which habits or thoughts from last year felt heavy? Which ones felt like home?
• Who walked with you through last year? Write them a short note of thanks, even if you never send it.
• If last year had a title, what would it be? What would you love this year’s title to be?

Weekly Reflection: How does it feel to close the door on last year? Is there anything still lingering that needs a little more grace?

Week 2: Choosing My Word (8 to 14 January)

One word can hold a whole year. This week, let’s listen for ours.

If I could ask God for one word to shape this year, what would I hope it would be? Is there a word that keeps showing up?

• Make a list of words that feel alive to you right now. Don’t overthink it. Just write.
• Circle the three that make your heart lift a little. What do they have in common?
• Sit quietly for five minutes and ask God, “What would You like this year to be about?” Write whatever comes, even if it’s nothing.
• Choose your word. Write it big across a fresh page. Why this word, and why now?
• Where could you place your word so you see it every day? Your mirror, your phone screen, the inside cover of your journal?

Weekly Reflection: Did your word find you, or did you find it? How does it feel to hold it?

Week 3: Making Room for the New (15 to 21 January)

New things need space to grow. This week is about clearing a little room.

Where in my life (my home, my diary, my heart) is there no space for anything new to arrive?

• Look at your diary for the next month. What is one commitment you could release?
• Which corner of your home feels cluttered and heavy? What would it feel like to clear it?
• What thought do you replay most often? Is it making room for life, or crowding it out?
• What is one “should” you could let go of this year?
• Picture an empty, sunlit room. What would you love to invite into it?

Weekly Reflection: What did you clear this week, and what quietly moved into that space?

Week 4: Small, Brave Steps (22 to 28 January)

Beginnings don’t have to be big to be real. This week, let’s honour the tiny steps.

What is one small step I can take towards my word this week? How small can I make it, so that it feels easy?

• Think of a time a small beginning grew into something you treasure. What did it teach you?
• What step have you been putting off because it feels too small to matter?
• What would “good enough” look like this week, instead of perfect?
• Who could you share your word with, so you don’t walk this year alone?
• Take your small step today. Afterwards, write down how it felt in your body.

Weekly Reflection: What surprised you about taking small steps? Did they feel smaller or bigger than you expected?

Week 5: Walking in the New (29 to 31 January)

As the first month ends, let’s notice how far we’ve already come.

In what small way have I already become new this month?

• Read back through your “new things” list. What patterns do you notice?
• What do you want to carry from January into February?
• Write a short prayer for the year ahead, using your word.

Weekly Reflection: How did beginning slowly feel, compared to the years you started with a sprint?

Wrapping it Up: End-of-Month Reflection

At the end of the month, I’ll take a moment to reflect, no judgement, just curiosity:

• Where did I see God making things new this month?
• When did I slip back into the old rush, what pulled me there?
• What is one gentle beginning I want to keep nurturing in February?

I hope this gives you a soft place to start the year. Here’s to new beginnings that grow at the pace of grace.

With grace, Debbera