One of the reminders I keep coming back to this month is this simple truth. You are allowed to grow at your own pace. Not someone else’s timeline. Not the version you thought you would be by now. Just yours. Growth is not a race. It is not a checklist. Most of the time, it’s not visible. It’s uneven and happening beneath the surface. We often remind our children of this when they feel frustrated about their progress, but we seem to forget this grace when we reach adulthood. I think we forget how much is happening when things look calm on the outside. You might be learning something new. Letting go of an old habit. Practicing patience. Showing up differently than you used to. Those shifts matter, even if they are not obvious yet.

January feels like a good time to pay attention to the small things that are changing inside and outside of us. That’s why I chose Growth for this month’s theme. Growth can be big and visible. It can also be slow and quiet, showing up in ways you might not notice until you look back later. It might be something you’re learning, healing from, building, or even something you are letting go of. Looking for growth in photos helps me see what is happening that I might otherwise overlook.

Welcome to a brand new year! I always love the feeling of January. It’s a time that naturally invites a fresh start, renewed energy, and space to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. I hope you had a chance to read yesterday’s post about adding monthly themes to my memory keeping (and documenting) process. I’m really excited about this and today, I’ll be kicking it off by introducing January’s theme.

This year, I’m trying something new. Each month in 2026 will have a simple focus word. Think of it as an easy lens you can use for photos, journaling, and scrapbook pages. When you have a theme, you do not have to start from scratch. You can notice everyday moments more easily, then document them with less pressure.