January 1 is a natural time for new beginnings. It holds such promise of the wonderful things that await us in the year ahead.

That’s the reason for the annual tradition of new year’s resolutions. We feel the changing of the year presents us with a potential to be somehow new ourselves, taking a new direction with some aspect of our life that we feel has outlived its value. The cigarettes we once enjoyed have become a chain and a health threat, so we resolve to quit them. We’re tired of the way our body looks or feels, so we resolve to diet or exercise (or both) to make it into something better. It’s a good kickoff to a job search, or to start budgeting, or to try to return to college.

The possibilities of a new year are endless.

But it’s also good to remember that every day is a new day. Every day is a new opportunity for change.

If there’s something in your life you want to change, there’s no need to wait for Tuesday — start your resolution today. If your Jan. 1 resolution falls apart Jan. 5, start it anew on Jan. 6.

You’re entitled to try to be the person you want to be. If you’re ready to put in the work, the date on the calendar doesn’t really matter.