January Reset: Rest, Declutter, and Recharge Your Life

Dec 2

Laptop on a bed with coffee and croissant

January Isn’t Spring—And That’s OK

January often comes with an avalanche of expectations. You’re supposed to wake up on New Year’s Day with a 10-point plan for self-reinvention, ready to hustle harder than ever, maybe even go for a “polar bear plunge”.

But here’s a reality check: January isn’t spring. It’s a winter month while nature is still resting, and an arbitrary date on the calendar.

Winter is a time for conserving energy, reflecting, and preparing for renewal. So why do we insist on pushing ourselves to be hyper-productive during this season?

This doesn’t mean you should abandon your goals or ignore the year ahead. Instead, it’s about giving yourself permission to embrace winter’s slower pace. By resting and resetting now, you’ll have the clarity and energy to take action when the time is right.

Instead of launching into the first week of January with an unsustainable to-do list and a sugar (or alcohol) hangover, let’s go through how you can instead spend the month resetting your home, life, and business for more clarity and ease in the year ahead.

4 Problems with the January Hustle

1. Post-Holiday Burnout

The holidays are a whirlwind of activity—shopping, cooking, hosting, traveling. By the time January arrives, most of us are running on fumes. Instead of acknowledging this exhaustion, we layer on more demands with resolutions, fitness plans, and ambitious to-do lists. Crazy.

Burnout doesn’t just sap your energy—it clouds your judgment, making it harder to focus on what truly matters. You end up sucked into what others are doing on social media and taking on someone else’s plan or idea of goals and success. Ignoring your need for rest in January sets the stage for poor decision-making and inconsistent follow-through.

Solution: Acknowledge your need to recharge. Use January to recover from the holidays and focus on small, restorative actions rather than monumental changes. Example: Starting your new exercise routine with 20 minutes of gentle yoga in the morning, instead of diving into Crossfit 5 days a week.

2. Resolution Pressure

Let’s talk about New Year’s resolutions. They sound great in theory: a chance to reinvent yourself and set ambitious goals. In reality, they’re often a fast track to guilt and frustration.

Why? Resolutions are usually made in a rush, with little thought about practicality or long-term sustainability. They focus on fixing perceived flaws rather than building on strengths. And let’s face it—starting a new fitness routine or launching a major project in the coldest, darkest month of the year doesn’t set you up for success.

Solution: Swap resolutions for reflection. Instead of jumping into action, spend January thinking about what you want your year to feel like. It’s a great time to do a yearly review from the past year and consider these 4 core questions:

What worked?
What didn’t?
What do I want to start doing or want more of?
What do I want to stop doing or want less of?

3. Clutter Overload

Post-holiday clutter is real. You’re left with piles of decorations, new gifts that don’t have a home, and lingering messes from holiday gatherings. This physical clutter has a psychological impact—it creates stress, reduces focus, and makes it harder to relax.

When your surroundings are chaotic, your mind feels chaotic too. Tackling the physical mess is often the first step to gaining mental clarity. I can’t think when my space is a disaster and I know many people that have the same struggles. By clearing your space your mental load isn’t full of household admin, pending errands, and stress.

Solution: Start with visible clutter, one small area at a time. Focus on creating a sense of calm and order in your most-used spaces. We’ll go deeper into how to do that below.

4. Lack of Clarity

Diving into the year without a plan is like starting a road trip with no map. You might get somewhere, but it probably won’t be where you intended. When you rush into resolutions or projects without taking time to reflect, you’re more likely to waste energy on the wrong priorities (or adopting someone else’s while you’re doom-scrolling).

Solution: Use January as a month for clarity and alignment. Clear out the old—both physically and mentally—before deciding where to direct your energy.

The Anti-Resolution January Reset Plan

This plan will help you reset and recharge so you can approach the year with focus and intention. Follow these phases in order, taking your time to do each one thoroughly.

Phase 1: Clear Your Space

Declutter Holiday Leftovers

The holidays bring a wave of “stuff”—decorations, gifts, and wrapping supplies. Start your reset by reclaiming your space:

Donate Excess: Did you receive gifts you don’t need or love? Consider donating them to someone who will use them. Apply the same logic to old toys, clothes, or decor you no longer need. My kids know they will have to donate an item for every gift they get. This keeps the clutter under control (mostly), and we don’t have overflowing toy storage.

Box Up Decorations: Pack away holiday decor with intention. Label boxes clearly so future-you will thank you next December. Instead of repacking old and unused ornaments or decorations, box them up to donate.

Why This Matters: Letting go of physical clutter creates a visual and emotional sense of relief. It signals to your brain that you’re making space for something new.

Refresh Your Workspace

Your workspace is the heart of your productivity. A cluttered desk can lead to scattered thoughts and procrastination. Spend an hour or two creating a workspace that inspires focus:

Declutter Your Desk: Remove items you don’t use regularly or stuff that’s piled up (which signals to your brain that you have standing to-do’s).
Add Comfort: A cozy blanket or warm lighting can make your workspace feel inviting during winter months.
Shred: I also use this time to go through any printouts or documents that are no longer relevant or useful (hello social media marketing ideas from 2019).

Clean: Give your office and desk area a good dust and wipe down. Open the windows for an hour (even if it’s cold outside) and let some fresh air in.

Organize Supplies: Group similar items together and store them in easy-to-access spots. I love this time to go through and test pens, markers, and highlighters to make sure they’re all good.

Phase 2: Declutter Your Digital Life

Inbox Zero Strategies

An overflowing inbox is a mental energy drain. Use these tips to get to (or close to) inbox zero:

Create Folders: Organize important emails into labeled folders for quick reference.
Delete or Archive: If you don’t need it, let it go.
Unsubscribe Ruthlessly: Spend 10 minutes unsubscribing from newsletters and spam.

File Organization

Digital clutter is easy to ignore, but it can slow you down when you’re searching for files or tools.

Audit Your Folders: Create a logical folder structure for your work and personal files.
Back Up Important Documents: Use cloud storage or an external hard drive for safekeeping.

Streamline Your Tools

Do you have apps or software you no longer use? Delete them. Simplify your digital workspace so you only have tools that genuinely help you.

Archive Strategy

Productivity expert Tiago Forte developed the PARA method, which stands for Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archives. This system helps organize digital information efficiently.

The 'Archive' component involves moving inactive items out of active view, reducing digital clutter and enhancing focus on current tasks. It’s a blanket solution to take quick action on reducing the visual clutter of your digital workflow. Learn more about how to batch Archive and reset your digital life in this video.

Phase 3: Start a Gentle Digital Detox

Turn Off Notifications

Notifications are constant interruptions that pull you out of focus. Go into your settings and turn off notifications for non-essential apps.

Set Device-Free Times

Choose specific times of day—like meals or the hour before bed—to go screen-free. Use this time to connect with loved ones, read, or relax.

Explore Dopamine Detoxing

Dopamine detoxing doesn’t mean depriving yourself; it’s about reducing overstimulation and finding joy in simpler activities. Swap social media scrolling for journaling, sketching, or spending time outside.

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Phase 4: Declutter Your Calendar and Priorities

Audit Upcoming Commitments

Look at your calendar for the year and ask yourself:

Does this align with my goals and values?
Is this something I truly want to do, or am I saying yes out of obligation?

Create Breathing Room

Block out time for rest and reflection. Treat it as non-negotiable—just like a work meeting or doctor’s appointment.

Set the Stage for February Planning

January is for clearing the decks. Use February to plan your goals with clarity and intention, knowing you’ve created the space for them to flourish.

Why This Reset Matters

Decluttering isn’t just about your physical space—it’s about creating mental and emotional clarity. By slowing down in January, you’re not falling behind; you’re preparing for success. When you take time to reset now, you’ll approach February with a clear head and an open heart, ready to plan and take action with intention.

Conclusion: Give Yourself Permission to Pause

This January, skip the hustle. Embrace rest, reflection, and resetting. By clearing the clutter in your space, mind, and digital life, you’re creating room for growth and alignment. Give yourself permission to start the year on your terms—rested, recharged, and ready for what’s next.