Welcome back—and happy new year!

I took some time off over the holidays to be fully present with my family. We had everyone together, which is rare, and it was exactly what I needed. Now I'm back, refreshed, and excited for what's ahead.

We're in the thick of the darkest stretch of the season - the kind of days that sap your energy before you've finished your coffee. Add in the "new year, new you" messaging everywhere and it's easy to feel like you should be overhauling your entire life while running on empty.

But here's the thing: you don't need a new you. You only need one small thing that helps you feel grounded when the days are short and your energy is low.

When we try to change everything at once, our brains resist. Willpower depletes. And when it's gone, we're back to default mode, feeling bad about ourselves, wondering why we can't get it together.

But one small, repeatable action? That builds a groove. Your brain stops fighting it.

So instead of ten resolutions you'll abandon by February, what if you chose one anchor? One thing that grounds your day, even when everything else feels chaotic. The most sustainable changes come from micro-habits - tiny shifts you barely notice until they've quietly changed everything.

I haven't been a drinker since university - it just didn't work for me. For a while I tried to acquire a taste for wine, but my family still laughs about my "alcohol face" whenever I took a sip. Call me boring, but water is my go-to. That said, some people use January to reset their relationship with alcohol, and the good news is that society seems to have caught up. It's no longer uncomfortable to say "no thanks" to a drink. Fewer parties this time of year helps too.

If you're doing Dry January (or just cutting back), the benefits tend to show up fast—better sleep, more energy, clearer skin, extra money in your pocket.

The hardest part for some people? Having something in your hand that still feels like a treat. Water can feel boring (though I'd argue it's underrated). That's where a good mocktail comes in—not the sugary, overly sweet kind, but something that actually satisfies.

I put together a free guide with my favourites. Easy to make, no weird ingredients, and they actually feel like you're drinking something special.

This year I tried something new. Instead of resolutions, I created one manifestation statement and turned it into a daily intention I read every morning.

I used AI to help. I started with a messy brain dump: What do I want to achieve? What feels stuck? What do I need to feel, do, and believe to move forward? Then I pasted it into Claude and asked it to turn everything into a manifestation statement and daily intention. I refined it until it felt like mine.

Twenty minutes. And now I have something that anchors my day.

If you fell off your routine over the holidays, this is your gentlest re-entry—and one of the best things you can do during these darker months. 

Daylight, even on a cloudy day, helps regulate your energy and mood. 

The cold air wakes you up. 

And simply getting outside when everything in you wants to stay under a blanket is a small win that builds momentum.

Schedule it at the same time each day. Use it as podcast time. This small habit compounds. More on that coming soon.

If your New Year’s resolution has slipped or felt overwhelming from the start, you’re not behind. I’m bringing together a small group for a free, two-week micro-habits challenge designed to help you build consistency without pressure.

Same you, just feeling more energetic…

If you want in, click below and I’ll keep you posted