Letters from January

Anonymous letters from this month's exchanges

Dakkota Lane

Jan 25, 2026

Dear Stranger,

January’s letters are here and this is our third month of exchanges.

Six people wrote about what they’re leaving behind as they step into this new year and what they’re hoping to find.

Here are some of those letters, shared with permission.

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Okay. Here are January’s letters.

This month’s prompt was: “Write about what you’re leaving behind as you step into this new year and what you’re hoping to find.”

Letter 1

Dear New Year,

I’m leaving behind what I already know doesn’t work.
Staying too long.
Second-guessing myself after I’ve already decided on something.

I’m done holding onto things out of habit.
Old conversations.
Old versions of people.
Old ways of treating myself.

I’m walking into this year hoping for ease.
For love that doesn’t confuse me.
For days that feel steady and real.

I hope I find myself choosing what feels right the first time.
Saying no without guilt.
Letting good things stay.

That’s it.
That’s the wish.

Letter 2

Dear stranger,

Firstly, I wish you a happy and calm new year.

This is new for me. Also, a little overwhelming. But I made a promise to myself to try things that push me out of my comfort zone so here I am. This is probably a beginning in itself.

2025 was a heavy year. Lots of arguments, anger, tears shed, lack of a safe feeling. That's not to say that it was all bad but it was definitely the hardest yet. A friend asked me about my highlight of the year and I honestly could not think of anything but the time I spent with them, meeting them for the first time. The whole year felt like the night sky with one star shining in a corner. That made me deeply reflect on my year and I realised how much I was not me in 2025. For the sake of love and marriage, more marriage than love, the person I am had been pushed aside and I had turned into someone I really didn't recognise. This did not happen consciously, nor was it a good change. Circumstances and events out of my control but directly impacting me somehow created this version of me. There were even times during arguments when I said out loud to my partner that I hate the person I have become. Only on reflection did I understand how detrimental to myself this version of me was.

I probably have not been the best partner either. I know there are things I could have done differently to make some things easier for my partner and myself. But there was always this inertia, maybe even some resistance in the last year.

That evening when I was sitting with my friend, our conversation shifted something in me. I could feel the me me coming out of the shell. The night we met I felt like myself for the longest time. There was a sense of calm and a sigh of relief. I hadn't lost myself. In that space, free of judgement, full of genuine presence, I could finally breathe. I realised I'd been holding my breath for months. That night reminded me who I am beneath everything I'd been carrying. I am beyond grateful to my friend for so effortlessly creating the safe space for me to shed the skin I was trapped in and let me be me. This is perhaps why it was my highlight of the year.

So, as I walk into 2026, I release the version of myself that was toxic to me and those around me. I love my partner for every memory we have created together and everything they have done for me. They will always remain in my heart and be a part of me. We were there for each other when we needed each other the most. But as we enter the next phase of our lives, I believe we have run our course. So, l release holding on to a relationship because of convenience from being with each other for long. I release holding my partner back as we have grown in different directions over the years. All I want is for them to get the best in life. They deserve nothing less.

This year, I reach for myself - to bring back and nurture what had receded into a shell. I reach for finding love again. Love with the person who meets me where I am. For whom I want to be better everyday. Where we hold the space for each other to be vulnerable without judgement, to support growth, to be kind and most importantly, just be who we are.

So, I think beginning again feels like going back to the roots, to the core and watering the soul.

Thank you for reading. And I wish 2026 brings you all that you hope for and all that is right for you.

P.S. If you have a friend like mine or someone in your life who loves you for just who you are, please give them a tight hug. And, be that person for them too.

Letter 3

I was standing there.
no words were coming.

i couldn't think of anything
to say to end a 5-year relationship.

i wanted it to end with grace.
so i said — Thank You.
i had an awesome time with you.

all the hikes all the fights all the empty tanks.

i remember when you made me smile
with wonder and
awe

i remember when
you made me cry

cause my credit cards
were on the brink of exploding

of the many times my heart
raced because of you,
the first day and the first trail
i will
never forget.

but i have to move on.

i can't repair what i've done this time.

even though i'm a decent mechanic.

this is too big.

i have
to let
you
go.

we did our last ride together.
many kilometers in the forest,
surrounded by mud and rocks.
our favorite playground.

the one with the viewpoint at the top
we both loved.

i'm going to miss this.
driving you.

thanks for all the fun!

now, i need
a more
eco-
family-
budget-
friendly
option.

i'll be handling your wheel\s
in my dreams and memories.

to my beloved
Jeep Wrangler.

—

Can you grieve a relationship
you had with an object?

or is it just me...

These letters. Someone done with staying too long. Someone finding themselves again and choosing to leave. Someone grieving a Jeep Wrangler after five years of trails.

Thank you for writing these. February’s prompt goes out soon. I’m already looking forward to seeing what you all share.

What are you leaving behind? What are you hoping to find this year?

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