January always arrives with a particular kind of quiet—crisp, reflective, and full of possibility. After the fullness of the holidays, the world seems to exhale, and suddenly there’s space again. Space to think. Space to breathe. Space to reset.
This first week of the new year is where my 2026 rhythm begins. Not with pressure or perfection, but with ritual—gentle, grounding, and deeply practical. A reset that honors both sides of my life: the home I tend and the work I create.
Here’s how I’m easing into the year with intention, clarity, and a fresh sense of being in my element.
Clearing the Physical Space
Before I plan, dream, or organize anything, I start with the simplest ritual of all: clearing space.
- Putting away the last of the holiday décor
- Refreshing surfaces with a quick wipe‑down
- Opening windows for a few minutes of cold, clean air
- Swapping out December’s cozy clutter for January’s calm simplicity
This isn’t a deep clean—it’s a reset. A way of telling my home, We’re starting fresh now.
Resetting My Work Corner
My work life thrives when my environment feels intentional. So I give my desk the same love I give my kitchen counters:
- Clearing papers and digital clutter. It’s amazing how much you accumulate.
- Refreshing my paper planner and Milanote dashboard. I like the best of both worlds.
- Setting out my January editorial calendar. Planning content is a first for me but I’m going to schedule it all.
- Choosing one candle, one notebook, and one pen to anchor the space. For me it’s my Auden Lueur candle in Noel. I’m obsessed. I’m also particular about my pens and my notebooks. It’s a quirk that I own.
It’s amazing how much clarity comes from a tidy, thoughtfully arranged workspace. It feels like opening a window in my mind. I cannot be creative in chaos. Can anyone really?
A Gentle Household Refresh
January isn’t the time for massive projects—it’s the time for small, high‑impact resets that make the whole home feel lighter for a brand new chapter.
- Fresh sheets and curtains. I do this often but there’s just something about resetting it all on January 1st that sets the tone for the year I feel.
- A reset of the laundry basket. Did it survive the year or is it time for a new one? It’s an overlooked item for sure. I buy new ones every year. They’re affordable, stylish and an annual necessity.
- A quick pantry check. What’s expired? What’s about to? Rotation is important.
- A fridge clean‑out to make room for nourishing winter meals, condiments and fanciness included. I’m always shocked how much leftovers I have stuffed everywhere after the holidays.
These tiny resets create a sense of momentum without overwhelming the week. And by keeping them small and to the point, they become accomplishments instead of overwhelming setbacks.
Setting my 2026 Rythm
This is where the ritual becomes intentional.
I sit with a warm tea and map out the rhythms that will carry me through the year:
- What are my blogging goals?
- Batching and scheduling social media content: YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest
- Monthly seasonal themes and Specific content
- A weekly creative reset to refill my energy. We all need a little time to rest and recharge where we can evaluate our needs for home and work.
- A simple workflow that honors both productivity and rest. No more procrastinating.
This isn’t about rigid structure—it’s about creating a container that supports the life I want to live with a realistic reset that leaves me feeling productive and accomplished instead of behind and scrambling.
Choosing My January Focus
Every month gets a theme, and January’s is simple:
Clarity. Calm. Consistency.
I choose one home focus and one work focus for the month:
- Home: Creating a winter sanctuary is important during the New England winter—warm lighting, soft textures, and slow routines for those cozy days are a must.
- Work: Establishing my 2026 content rhythm with ease and intention so I’m not wasting time and feeling rushed.
These two anchors keep me grounded when the month inevitably gets busy. Simple rhythms to make life so much easier and productive. it can be hard balancing work and home and by breaking it down into small, manageable tasks to keep you going you set yourself up for success every time.
A Ritual to Close the Week
At the end of this first week, I do one final thing: I pause.
I look around at the home I’ve refreshed, the workspace I’ve reset, and the plans I’ve gently shaped for the year ahead. Nothing is in stone but it’s a direction and guide to keep me moving forward. And I let myself feel proud—not for doing everything, but for beginning with intention.
Because a reset isn’t about reinventing yourself or your environment.
It’s about returning to what matters.
It’s about creating space for the life you want to live.
It’s about stepping into the year feeling steady, clear, and in your element.
Here’s to 2026—may it be a year of grounded rhythms, meaningful work, and a home that supports every version of you.
xoxo ~ Shawn