A Fresh Take on Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions in January? Let’s be real—who actually feels motivated to change their life when it’s freezing outside and getting dark at 4 p.m.? January has big “stay under a blanket and binge TV” energy. But what if we made resolutions at a time that makes sense? Like, when the world isn’t literally hibernating?

Wait, Why January Anyway?

Okay, quick history lesson—don’t roll your eyes, this is cool! A long time ago, people based their calendars on the stars, the seasons, and basically how the Earth works. The Zodiac calendar and other ancient systems started the year in spring because, duh, that’s when things start growing again. Aries season (around late March to late April) is all about energy, action, and starting fresh. Makes sense, right?

But then the Gregorian calendar came along in 1582, and Pope Gregory XIII decided New Year’s would be January 1st. Why? Because of Roman traditions and religious stuff. As as matter of fact, the pope and his peeps were advertising to the people that anyone who still started their new year on April 1st is a FOOL! (which is where we get the whole April Fool's Day thing!) And people going along with this whole idea thought is would be fun to shame people for living the old way. Cool for them, but it totally ignores nature’s rhythm. So now we’re stuck trying to “start fresh” in the dead of winter. Thanks, history!

Aries season (around late March to late April) is all about energy, action, and starting fresh. Makes sense, right?

Spring Energy = Major Vibes

Spring isn’t just a season—it’s like nature’s hype man. The sun stays up longer, the birds are singing their little hearts out, and everything’s coming back to life. Doesn’t that make you feel more pumped to get stuff done?

Spiritually, spring is all about growth and fresh starts. Think of it as the Earth saying, “Hey, I’m planting seeds and growing flowers; what are you working on?” When you set goals during this time, you’re aligning with that vibe. It’s like riding a wave of positive energy instead of trying to paddle upstream in January’s gloom.

Winter, on the other hand? It’s perfect for naps, Netflix, and not much else. Trying to start big projects in January is like planting a garden in the snow. Spoiler: it’s not gonna work.

How Witches and Stars Get It Right

Witches, pagans, and astrologers have been onto this spring-start thing forever. Ostara, the spring equinox celebration, is basically a big “Happy New Year” party for nature. People light candles, plant seeds, and set intentions for the year ahead. It’s like a spiritual reset button.

Astrologically, Aries season is the beginning of the zodiac calendar. Aries is all about courage, action, and jumping into new things with both feet (sometimes without checking how deep the water is, but hey, it’s the thought that counts). If you want to harness that bold, fiery energy, spring is the time to do it.

Some springtime rituals you could try:

Light a candle and set an intention (bonus points if it smells like flowers).
Write your goals in a journal and plant some actual seeds to symbolize them.
Dance around outside like nobody’s watching. (Nature won’t judge, promise.)

January’s a Buzzkill

Let’s be honest: January is the Monday of months. It’s cold, dark, and everyone’s broke from the holidays. Not exactly the recipe for life-changing motivation.

Plus, winter is nature’s off-season. Bears hibernate, trees take a break, and even your houseplants are like, “Nope, not today.” Trying to force yourself to make big changes during this time feels like going against the flow. It’s no wonder most New Year’s resolutions fizzle out by February.

April, though? April feels like a pep talk from the universe. The weather’s nicer, the sun’s out, and you’ve got all that spring energy pushing you forward. If January’s the buzzkill, April’s the life of the party.

It’s cold, dark, and everyone’s broke from the holidays. Not exactly the recipe for life-changing motivation.

How to Crush April Resolutions

Ready to ditch January and start fresh in April? Here’s how to do it:

Dust Off January Goals: If you set resolutions in January, revisit them. What’s working? What’s not? Use spring’s energy to tweak and restart.
Create a Vision Board: Grab some magazines or print pictures online. Glue them to a board and boom—instant inspiration.
Celebrate Ostara: Light some candles, plant something, or do a quick meditation. It’s like a mini New Year’s Eve party for your soul.
Get Outside: Walk in the park, garden, or just sit in the sun. Nature’s energy is contagious, so soak it up.
Write It Down: Goals feel more real when you put them on paper. Bonus points for using colorful pens or stickers.

Wrap It Up: Spring is the Real New Year

Making resolutions in April isn’t just smarter—it’s more fun. You’re working with nature instead of against it, and that makes all the difference. Spring’s energy of growth and renewal gives your goals a fighting chance to thrive.

So this April 1st, skip the pranks and try something new. Set your resolutions, plant some seeds, and watch both grow into something amazing. Who knows? This might just be the year your resolutions actually stick. Cheers to fresh starts—and warmer weather! [AR]

Spring into Action: The Best Time to Make Resolutions Isn’t January