At the start of a new year, I always like to reflect on what I would like my year to look like. Last year seemed to fly by and I now realize I need to be more intentional about setting goals and intentions for myself. For me, things just seem to happen. It feels like the universe places things in my path (or removes them) rather effortlessly at times, although, if I am honest, the harder I work, the more at ease things seem to be. As I think deliberately about the start of the year and setting clear intentions for my year, the following items are on my mind.
“Dryuary.” I usually do not participate in dry January — abstaining from alcohol — but this year, I am going to give it a try. Many of my friends who participate in dry January love the clarity they attain at the beginning of the new year. I usually abstain from alcohol during Lent, even though I am not Catholic. This year, I am going to see if abstaining in January provides a new level of clarity.
Donate blood. I did not know January is National Blood Donor Month. Ever since Richard Nixon proclaimed it on December 31, 1969, blood donors have slowly increased. However, only 3% of Americans donate blood and fewer than 20% of that group are donations from people of color. It is important to donate blood, especially if you have an uncommon blood type or you are a universal donor.
Clear things out. If you are like me and missed the opportunity to clean out your drawers and closets in December, January is a perfect time to decrease clutter in all aspects of your life. That means cleaning out clothing drawers, that catch-all or junk drawer in the kitchen (you know what I mean), coats and shoes you haven’t worn all season, and old towels and linens to discard or donate, and throwing away old toiletries and makeup. I also need to go through my phone and delete numbers of people who I have absolutely no idea who they are or how they got in my phone. I also, sadly, need to delete the numbers of people who have died and whose numbers have long since been disconnected. As difficult as that is, it is necessary to clear out certain things to make space for new beginnings.
These are just some of my January plans. There is so much I need to prepare for professionally and personally as we enter this new year and new era in our politics. It is my sincere hope that 2025 is off to a great start and your year is filled with clarity and abundance.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of the books “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.