As we find ourselves well into January, many breathe a sigh of relief. Generally, this month is not favored. And there are good reasons for that. For starters, the holiday season has wrapped up, leaving us drained of both festive spirit and funds. Moreover, January often drags on, feeling like a never-ending stretch, devoid of any paycheck. Coupled with the harsh weather typical of winter, it can feel like receiving a belated gift from someone who has it out for you.
To make matters worse, any negative news that surfaces in the first couple of weeks of January feels disproportionately amplified, as if it’s a grim harbinger of what’s to come for the rest of the year. We welcomed a new year, a clean slate. And now this. Kudos, humanity. January can feel not only chilly and isolating but ominous as well.
The biggest challenge, however, is that January forces us to confront our shortcomings. Many of us set New Year’s resolutions, and by now, it’s likely that a good number have already been abandoned, highlighting our inadequacies as we step into a new year. It’s as if our well-meaning attempts at self-betterment have fallen flat.
Yet, amidst the gloom, there’s one practice I engage in every January that never fails to enhance my month—and my year. It only takes two minutes, and you can start right now:
- Grab your phone.
- Browse through your contacts.
I’m willing to bet that within a minute, you’ll come across someone you genuinely cherish—perhaps even someone you adore—whom you haven’t connected with at all in the past year. In fact, if you scroll through your entire contact list, there’s likely to be more than one person who fits this description.
You haven’t seen them, not due to any falling out or disinterest, but simply because life got in the way. You were busy. They were busy. You get it. Plus, a part of you probably thought, “Oh, they’ll definitely be around for a long time, so I can reach out later.” In other words, you made an excuse and justified it. That’s fine, but as we know, those we hold dear won’t be here forever. One day, they won’t be around at all, nor will you. But right now, you both are. Do you see where this is headed?
So here’s what I suggest you do:
- Make that call.
Say hi. Don’t text, and definitely don’t connect via Facebook or any other social platform. Because we all know that people act differently online. They’re not as candid or genuine. Simply “liking” a post or sending a quick message doesn’t compare to face-to-face interactions, where you can truly discover what’s happening in their lives and how they feel. It’s not the same as witnessing their laughter or sharing a silly moment together. It shouldn’t replace the warmth of an embrace.
The rise of digital communication has shrunk our beloved networks of family and friends into a mere contact list, a dropdown menu of people with dropdown responses, as though our emotional experiences can be simplified to a toolbar in a video game. Sure, that’s often sufficient. We’re all busy, juggling numerous commitments. But in January—the coldest and loneliest month—pick up the phone. Make an effort to reconnect with those who matter. Toast together, share a laugh over a rude waiter, belt out a ridiculous karaoke song. Remind each other of the friendship that existed before it was reduced to “likes” and tweets. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
I hope this resonates with you. It has always helped me. And if reading this made you feel even more grumpy about January, remember, it could’ve been worse. At least I didn’t suggest you do any exercise.
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Summary:
This article emphasizes the importance of maintaining personal connections, especially during the often dreary month of January. It encourages readers to reach out to loved ones they haven’t seen in a while, highlighting that true relationships cannot be replaced by digital interactions. The piece suggests a simple but powerful ritual of making a phone call to reconnect, reminding us of the value of in-person connections amidst the distractions of modern life.
Keyphrase: Reconnect with loved ones
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