January 2026: A Gentle Start

January always makes me want to pause before jumping ahead. Before setting goals or creating my vision board, I like to look back—and one of my favorite ways to do that is by scrolling through my camera roll from this time last year (a Mel Robbins idea I love). It’s such an honest form of inventory. Not the highlight reel—just real life. Where I was spending my time and energy. What kept showing up. That idea of inventory shows up in my work all the time. Whether we’re organizing a home or managing a move, you can’t move forward clearly without first seeing what’s actually there.

Here’s a real-life confession from my own home: my Christmas décor is still up. (Don't judge and don't worry, it's coming down before February) That’s a first for me—and surprisingly, I’m okay with it. Over the holidays, I had a very sick child in and out of the hospital, my son was home from college, birthdays and holiday festivities... Add in a full work schedule, and holiday takedown simply wasn’t the priority.

What I’m especially grateful for is that I scaled way back on what I put out this year. Fewer decorations. Fewer bins. Less to manage. That choice—made earlier—supported me when life got full. That’s what organizing looks like in real life. It’s not about perfection or timelines. It’s about real life support.

One of my words for this year is habits, because I believe this deeply: nothing is neutral. The small things we do—or don’t do—add up. The clutter we step around. The systems that almost work. The routines we repeat because they’re familiar. Over time, they shape our homes, our stress levels, and our days. Our environments reflect our habits—and then quietly reinforce them right back.

That’s why I’m focusing on small, repeatable choices this year. Not big overhauls. Just habits that make life feel a little easier. Having my gym bag packed ahead of time. Meal planning on Sunday to avoid mid-week take out. Clearing the kitchen counter before the end of night to wake up to a clean slate. Letting go of what no longer fits this season.

January doesn’t need to be about a long to do list or lofty goals that seem out of reach. Often, the most meaningful changes start small—organizing a pantry so cooking at home feels simpler, resetting one space to support a new routine, or preparing early for a move so it feels calmer and more manageable. January doesn’t need to be loud or intense. It can be slow, honest, flexible.

The small things you do today are shaping the year ahead. And sometimes, the best choice you can make is simply honoring what matters most right now.

As you start this year, I invite you to take inventory—of your spaces, your habits, and what you’re repeating. Small shifts truly matter. If you’d like support creating systems that fit your real life—whether that’s organizing a small space or preparing for a move—we'd love to help. Here’s to a year shaped by intentional habits and spaces that support you and the season you're in.