There’s something symbolic for me about the days between Christmas and New Year. Time slows down, the work emails stop (mostly), and suddenly you have this rare pocket of space to relax and reset for 2026.
Over the last few years though, I’ve ditched the ‘New Year, New Me’ all-in resolutions for a handful of easy holiday routines that will make January 2026 feel lighter, smoother and more intentional. They aren’t strict or difficult, and some of them can be done in front of the TV! These are simple little rituals that help me clear the noise, reconnect with myself, and reset for 2026 in a calm, soft way.
1. Unsubscribe from marketing emails (instead of just deleting them every day)
This habit alone has improved my mental clarity in the mornings!
In November and December, my inbox usually gets flooded with discount codes, sale alerts, order updates, or newsletters that I’ve inadvertently signed up for at some point during the year. Whilst a lot of these are harmless, the constant “delete, delete, delete” habit creates unnecessary daily noise.
So during the quiet days after Christmas, I do a mindful digital declutter whilst enjoying my morning coffee. I spend 5 minutes looking at the emails I’ve received the previous day, and if I don’t want to keep getting them I simply pause and unsubscribe – rather than just delete. It takes five seconds per email, and by January 1st my inbox is quieter, calmer and more manageable for when normal life resumes.
2. Re-order my ‘everyday essentials’
I love entering the New Year with all the basics in stock. It’s not about a big, stressful shopping trip, but more about restocking the things that keep your routine running smoothly:
- vitamins and supplements
- your favourite body moisturiser
- a new planner or notebook
- your favourite coffee pods
- and whatever you need to get the New Year off to a smooth start!
- This is also the perfect time to book in those essential appointments – doctor, dentist, hair, nails, waxing – and get them in the diary before the rush starts.
These small resets instantly make everyday life feel more put-together, and they stop January from feeling like a scramble.
3. Clean out my camera roll (just a little!)
Not a full clear-out — with 45,000 photos to go through that’s too daunting for me! But I take 10 minutes every couple of days to delete screenshots I no longer need, duplicates, random videos, and outfit shots that didn’t make the Instagram feed. Again, this is another perfect little productive task to do with your morning coffee or whilst that Christmas movie you’ve seen 20 times plays in the background. It won’t drain your energy during this precious downtime, but it will give you more come New Year!
4. Choose one area of the home to refresh
Not a deep clean – just one small area that makes your space feel calmer.
For example:
- reorganising the bathroom cupboard
- refolding your workout clothes
- clearing out the bedside drawer and adding a pretty divider
- or finally wiping out the makeup bag you use every single day (sharpen those eye and lip pencils, too!)
These are the jobs we never seem to have the time for when we’re in the middle of our normal routine, but taking a moment to do them now can make such a difference to your mood in the coming months. It’s amazing how doing one or two tiny home refreshes can influence your motivation and clarity for the weeks ahead.
5. Map out a “minimum routine” for January
Instead of writing grand resolutions, I set a minimum non-negotiable routine — the things I commit to even on my busiest, lowest-motivation days. These align with my overall goals for the year and don’t add in any unnecessary ‘perfect January’ pressure (Dry January, I’m looking at you…)
These might include:
- 7,000–10,000 steps (I usually aim for 8000)
- hitting my water intake
- skincare morning and night, or one if both feels like too much
- taking my supplements
- stretching before bed
By focusing on the bare minimum, January feels achievable rather than overwhelming — and ironically, I usually end up doing far more!
6. Reconnect with a few dreams or goals — gently
I’m not a fan of harsh goal setting in the middle of winter. The last thing you need for a peaceful January is a total life overhaul! Instead, I revisit my notes app and look at the bigger picture: what I’m excited about, what I want more of, and what I want less of.
A few journaling prompts I love:
- What made me feel my best this year?
- What drained me more than it should have?
- What kind of woman do I want to be this year?
- What would make my life feel easier, or more aligned?
It’s less about pressure and more about clarity — a gentle realignment and reset for 2026 with your dreams in mind.
7. Create a “January Dopamine Menu”
Winter can be heavy (not to mention dark and cold) so I write a list of small things that spark joy and help me feel grounded for when I need them. Nothing big — just tiny pleasures that make the darker days feel softer. That way when things get tough I have a ready-made list that I can pull out and pick from to help me ground, unwind and keep a smile on my face.
Think:
- getting outside in nature, by water or even walking down a pretty street
- fresh flowers placed where you can see them the most
- hot chocolate or a good coffee in your favourite mug
- evening baths with a trivial, non-educational podcast or your favourite reality TV show
- lighting a candle, incense or wax melt just because – maybe the one you got at Christmas!
- booking a beauty treatment to look forward to
When January rolls in, this list becomes a lifeline of warm, feel-good energy.
8. Outfit planning (whilst in pyjamas!)
If you’ve been here for a while then you’ll already know my obsession with Stylebook App. This is not sponsored, but I’ve been using this app since 2012 and I don’t think I’d be the fashionista that I am without it. Jonathan uses it now too!
Stylebook (or any other closet planning app) is the perfect, low-energy task to do during these lazy days off. Whether it’s uploading the pieces in your wardrobe, adding ‘inspiration pics’ or crafting cute, elegant outfits to wear over the winter season, outfit planning like this will not only make you feel productive when you’re starting to get ‘planxious’ (a word I’ve coined for when you start to feel anxious about being unproductive!), but it will make your mornings softer and easier when you do start wearing human clothes again!
9. Just one ‘little treat’
Like it or not, retail therapy might be the reset for 2026 that you need to motivate yourself when nothing else works. Maybe it’s one tiny thing off of your Wishlist, or something you spotted the Boxing Day sales. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that you’re excited to receive and start using. This year mine is a little bit bigger – a vintage Chanel Brooch – but it’s the excitement about outfit planning around it that makes it a good choice.
Final Thoughts
The days between Christmas and New Year are often written off as lazy days for TV and cheese (which is absolutely fine), but they hold so much potential to create positive energy for New Year. These small tasks and habits help me move into the New Year feeling light, organised and excited — not overwhelmed.
None of them require big energy or high motivation. They’re simply small, loving ways to set yourself up for a calmer, clearer January.
READ NEXT: How to Find Your Style // My Autumn Winter Skincare Routine // The Return of Elegant Fashion
This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own.
