Happy New Year! It’s January 1st, and I am excited to announce that I’ve decided to participate in the Ultimate Blog Challenge this month (well, in all honesty, I am the coordinator and run the challenge, so I figure I should play along!). The goal? To write 31 blog posts over the next 31 days. It’s ambitious, yes, but that’s exactly why I’m diving in.
Let me tell you why this challenge resonates so deeply with me and what you can expect from this blog over the coming month.
First, a little about me and this blog. Welcome to Getting Better Every Day, my personal space on the web where I document my journey towards self-betterment. The idea behind it is simple: every day is an opportunity for growth. Life offers us a reset button with each sunrise, and it’s up to us to make use of it. This blog is my accountability partner, my sounding board, and my space to reflect on what’s working, what’s not, and how I’m evolving as a person.
I started this blog because I wanted a way to capture the small wins and lessons that make up the journey of self-improvement. It’s easy to lose sight of progress when life gets busy or when setbacks make it seem like we’re not moving forward. By documenting my experiences, I have a tangible way to see how far I’ve come. And as much as this is for me, it’s also for you. Sharing my progress—and my stumbles—feels like an invitation to connect with others who are also working on becoming the best versions of themselves. If you’re here, maybe you’re on a similar path, and if so, welcome. Let’s learn from each other.
So why the Ultimate Blog Challenge? The idea of writing daily for a month always feels like a way to stretch myself, to dig deeper into my thoughts, and to build momentum in a way that only consistent effort can. Writing every day is no small feat, but it aligns perfectly with my philosophy of getting better every day. Through this challenge, I hope to uncover new insights, explore topics I’ve been curious about, and push myself out of my comfort zone. Plus, it’s a chance to build a habit—and habits, as we know, are the building blocks of progress.
What can you expect this month? Well, I’ll be diving into all things self-betterment. Some days I might share personal stories—moments where I learned something significant or where I faced a challenge and (hopefully) came out stronger. Other days, I might explore topics like productivity, mindfulness, or health—areas that I’m actively working on in my own life. And yes, there will be posts about the trip-ups too, because let’s face it, no journey is smooth all the time.
I’m also planning to reflect on the power of starting over. As I’ve shared on the blog before, every day is a chance for rebirth. We don’t have to wait for Mondays, the first of the month, or even a new year to make a change. But there’s something undeniably energizing about January 1st, isn’t there? It’s a time when so many of us feel motivated to set new goals and make plans. This challenge feels like my way of capitalizing on that momentum.
Will it be easy? Probably not. Writing consistently requires discipline, focus, and creativity. But that’s part of why I’m doing it. Growth comes from pushing through the resistance, and I’m ready to embrace the process—messy, imperfect, and beautiful as it may be.
To those of you reading along, I want to say thank you. Your presence here means more than you know. Whether you’re a regular reader or you’ve just stumbled upon this blog, I hope you find something here that resonates with you. Maybe it’s a story that feels familiar, a tip that sparks an idea, or just the reassurance that you’re not alone on this journey. Whatever it is, I’m grateful to share this space with you.
Here’s to an exciting month ahead! If you’re participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge too, let me know in the comments—I’d love to cheer you on. And if you’re not, maybe this inspires you to start a challenge of your own, whatever that looks like for you. After all, every day is a chance to start over and get better. Let’s make January a month of growth, connection, and progress. Let’s do this!
Hello Paul.
Thanks for hosting this challenge again. I will try to follow the new procedures to get the posts and the comments in the right place.
Since there are not two posts before me, where should I place my second comment, from the last October post or another of my selection from one of the following posts on today?
Is there an update to the calendar that is available to us to track our daily post? The one I see still has a box to check a share to Facebook.
I am looking forward to reading your insights into navigating life and plotting a strategic course.
Hi Doug,
It’s great to see you here again, and I appreciate you jumping into the challenge with so much enthusiasm! 🎉 No worries about the procedures—it’s all part of the fun of getting better together. You can do what feels good for you.
For your second comment, feel free to go with your gut! Picking a post from October sounds fine, or you can come back here and leave a comment on a post later on today. Either is okie dokie with me. (Although… the second one is probably better).
As for the calendar, thanks for the heads-up. I’ll take a look and get it updated ASAP—appreciate your patience there.
Here’s to an amazing month full of growth, inspiration, and connection (and more glorious pictures you take).
Be Well.
Paul
Oh, how exciting, Paul! I’m looking forward to the topics you’ll be writing about, especially mindfulness and starting again. Happy New Year!
Hi Jeanine,
Happy New Year to you too!
I’m so glad you’re as excited as I am—it’s going to be a fantastic month. Mindfulness and starting again are two of my favorite topics that I frequently think about, so I hope they’ll resonate with you as much as they do with me.
Here’s to a fresh start, new opportunities, and making January one for the books. Let’s have fun this challenge together!
Be Well.
Paul
I value consistency so much – and yes, getting better in small ways every day is an excellent practice. I gave myself a Merry Birthday present this year and invested in a package of Personal Training sessions from December through January. It has been so helpful so far in many surprising ways. I have definitely been more consistent with heading to the Y.
I look forward to growing, connecting and making progress throughout January here at the Ultimate Blog Challenge. October’s challenge was the first time I made it through all 31 Days. Quite an accomplishment & I still feel the happiness of it all!
Hi Julie,
What an amazing Merry Birthday gift to yourself! Personal training sessions are such a fantastic way to invest in your well-being and keep that consistency going strong. I love that you’re making it to the Y regularly—it’s so inspiring to hear how it’s been helping you in surprising ways. I will be doing the same, and posting about it. I love going to Spin classes at the gym near me… Stay tuned on that!
Huge (post?) congratulations on completing all 31 days of October’s challenge! That’s such an incredible accomplishment, and I can feel the happiness radiating from your words. I have no doubt you’ll keep that momentum going this January.
Looking forward to seeing your posts and cheering you on as we grow, connect, and make progress together this month.
Be Well.
Paul
I have to admit, this was a last minute jump on for me (I did an in-depth one a few months ago and can’t seem to gain traffic). So, my day one wasn’t so creative. But, I’m going to brainstorm a better month today while I bake and get some winter seeds in some dirt 🙂
I love your motivation for doing this! Happy new year and here’s to a great month of blogging.
Hi Gracelynne,
Sometimes those last-minute decisions turn out to be the best ones!
Day One is all about showing up, and you’ve already done that—so you’re off to a great start. Brainstorming while baking and planting winter seeds sounds like the perfect recipe (pun intended 😄) for inspiration and creativity. And let me know when I can come over for cookies!
Thank you for the kind words! Happy New Year to you too, and here’s to an amazing month of blogging, growing, and connecting.
Be Well.
Paul
I love this and am very interested in following along on your journey. I’m inspired by your reminder that we don’t need to wait for a certain day to start again, but like you, I’m also leveraging this January energy.
I’m also participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge, I’ll see you there!
Hi Kimberly,
It’s always such a joy to hear from you! I’m so glad this resonated with you—there’s definitely something magical about that fresh January energy, isn’t there? 🌟 And yes, starting over doesn’t need to wait for a special occasion, but it’s always nice to have a little extra push. (and I know you have a lot going on this month!)
I’m thrilled you’re joining the Ultimate Blog Challenge too! Can’t wait to follow along with your posts and cheer you on throughout the month. Let’s make this a fantastic journey of growth and creativity together and regular meditation (for me, at least!)
Be Well.
Paul
Happy new year! 🎉🍀💖🥂🍾, Paul, and thank you for hosting another round of the UBC.
I like the outlook on your January, and frankly I believe “posts about the trip-ups” will be the most valuable, as people can relate and – best case – benefit from the “why’s” and the “make-ups”.
Happy New Year to you too! 🎉🍀💖🥂🍾 I’m so glad to see you here for another round of the UBC—it wouldn’t be the same without you.
You’re absolutely right; sharing the trip-ups can often be the most meaningful part (especially as an introspective way of looking at it). If my stumbles can help someone else with their own challenges, then it’s all worth it. I’m looking forward to learning and growing together this month.
Here’s to a January filled with progress, connection, and a lot of fun!
Be Well.
Paul
Happy New Year! It’s great to hear positivity! Wishing you success with the Ultimate Blog Challenge—excited to follow along and learn from your journey!
Hi Jasmine,
Happy New Year to you too!
Thank you for the kind words and encouragement—it means a lot – I think I am going to need a lot of it – LOL!
I’m excited to have you (and others) following along and hope you find some nuggets of inspiration in the journey. Let’s make this month one full of growth, positivity, and connection that sets the groundwork for the whole year.
Wishing you a fantastic start to 2025!
Be Well.
Paul
Wow, I can feel your excitement just by reading your blog. Sometimes I have small wins and other times I fall flat but they are all part of the process of learning. I’m excited to read what you have in store. Thanks again for hosting the UBC, I’m back with I think my 37th consecutive challenge bbb
Thanks, Martha!
Of course, I am excited – why would I not be?!? Every day is a gift 🙂 Time to start/continue to make the most of it.
Thank you, for all you do to keep the event running. I look forward to seeing where the New Year takes us. Be safe and Happy New Year.
Welcome back, Glenda! I am looking forward to reading more from you.