Clean Sweep – A January Haibun

Normally my mood would have been set back in December knowing the New Year was looming.  Historically January has been a difficult month for me as it represented family loss, illness and personal heartache.  This year however things will be different.  I decided at least a month ago that changes had to be made in my life and I took a leap of faith.  By mid-December, and with the encouragement of my family and friends, I was completely focused on the changes and determined to stick to the plan, doing my best to go in the direction I needed without hurting another. 

This New Year’s Eve, for the first time in many years, I actually celebrated instead of staying home and decrying a celebration as something that never applied to me.  Why welcome a miserable month?  So with much joy I released the past like a snake shedding its skin.  I’ll be honest, it was not easy, and there were definitely some bumps in the road to test my resilience, but I am on track.

Challenges face us all the time.  Sometimes they are in disguise and we don’t immediately recognize them and before we realize it, they have consumed us. There comes a point where we have to look them straight in the eye and decide if we are going to be conquered or fight back. 

Stay strong, make your resolutions and stick to them.  Happy January and a happy and healthy New Year!

Don't ever look back
For it will slow your progress
Your choice has been made


Copyright © 2023 Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing
All Rights Reserved


Kim, from Writing in North Norfolk is the host for D'Verse Poets Monday Haibun.
She has asked us to share our thoughts on this New Year.

Photo by Adonyi Gábor on Unsplash

  22 comments for “Clean Sweep – A January Haibun

  1. January 3, 2023 at 9:03 pm

    Good for you! Cheers to a new year ahead! Happy New Year!!!

    • Christine Bolton
      January 4, 2023 at 3:14 pm

      Thanks Grace! Happy New Year to you too ☺️

  2. January 3, 2023 at 3:52 pm

    We have to face the right challenges, but avoid the windmills.

    • Christine Bolton
      January 4, 2023 at 3:14 pm

      Ah yes, those windmills 😧

  3. January 3, 2023 at 2:00 pm

    Letting go can be very difficult. You are free now to journey forward.

    • Christine Bolton
      January 4, 2023 at 3:17 pm

      Yes! I feel like I have been released ☺️💕

  4. sanaarizvi
    January 3, 2023 at 1:58 pm

    This is incredibly heartfelt! Yes, the choice has been made. We shan’t look back now. Here’s hoping 2023 is kind to us! ❤️❤️

    • Christine Bolton
      January 4, 2023 at 3:18 pm

      Indeed Sanaa. Happy and Kind New Year to all of us ☺️❤️🌺

  5. January 3, 2023 at 11:39 am

    I Loved this post Christine!! So powerful and impactful to make decisions for change, improvement and moving forward, none of which is easy to do!! Looking forward to the positive changes this will bring to you, My Dear! Happy New Year!!!
    😊💕🌹🌹

    • Christine Bolton
      January 4, 2023 at 3:19 pm

      Thank you Chuck. Wishing you all the best too for 2023. Warm wishes ☺️❤️🌺

      • January 5, 2023 at 7:02 pm

        And wishing you the very best 2023 too, My Dear!!
        😊💕🌹

  6. January 3, 2023 at 4:02 am

    An optimistic haibun to start the New Year. I’m so glad to see that things are looking up for you, Christine. I agree about disguised challenges – we have to meet them head on. Happy New Year!

    • Christine Bolton
      January 4, 2023 at 3:24 pm

      Thanks Kim. Yes, I am making changes and not letting January control me anymore! 😳 Happy New Year and so happy to have you back at D’Verse ☺️💕

      • January 4, 2023 at 4:11 pm

        Thank you Christine, and Happy New Year!

  7. January 3, 2023 at 2:56 am

    A great message to keep in mind for the new year: message of taking control of one’s life and making positive changes. Happy New Year!

    • Christine Bolton
      January 4, 2023 at 3:22 pm

      Thanks M Jay. Happy New Year to you too ☺️💕

  8. January 2, 2023 at 11:36 pm

    All the best my dear friend.

    • Christine Bolton
      January 4, 2023 at 3:22 pm

      Thanks dear Sadje ☺️💕

      • January 4, 2023 at 8:09 pm

        You’re most welcome

  9. January 2, 2023 at 10:29 pm

    I like this forward thinking message. Happy New Year to you!

    • January 3, 2023 at 3:25 pm

      Wise words. I especially like the last paragraph of prose – the reminder of how a challenge can easily consume us. We must become larger than the obstacles in our path. Happy New Year!

      • Christine Bolton
        January 4, 2023 at 3:15 pm

        Thank you Mish! Yes, Happy New Year to you too ☺️

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