Anyone else have a rough time at the start of this year? 2026 not quite off to the start you had planned? I’m right there with you. I went into 2026 so confident, with all of my new routines planned and intentions set. I was sure this was going to be the best year ever. Fully ready to dive in and be my healthiest self. And yet, life often has other plans for us. Read on for how I’m resetting my resolutions to embrace the importance of rest.

What began as I hoped a great start to the year turned sour quite quickly. The first week or so was great, and felt off to a good start. Unfortunately, my health decided it wasn’t quite ready to jumpstart just yet and I ran into a couple of roadblocks. First I had some gut issues that made me sick for a few days, then I recovered, only to come back down with bad cramps… when does it end?? Well, it seems like the world is off-kilter too. We’ve had some crazy snowstorms here in Toronto and are heading into some very cold weather. Not to mention, all of the general chaos and terrifying events happening south of the border… All of this to say: I think I may have jumped the gun a bit on stepping into my plans for 2026.

January is often positioned as a time to restart with the beginning of a new year. Setting intentions and new year’s resolutions, goals, and all things new are brought to the forefront. As I mentioned in my last post, I actually do love the process of doing many of these tasks. For me, it feels like a great way to welcome in the new year. However, the obsession with making everything feel new and shiny, and fixing ourselves in the first three weeks of January – now that feels a bit much. I think it’s part of the reason I jumped in so hard with my own goal setting and resolutions, without necessarily thinking about the long game. It’s simply not sustainable to try and squeeze in every last goal into the first month of the year. And starting off that way can often lead to burnout and disappointment.

We absolutely do not need to re-invent the wheel here. We don’t need to change every thing about ourselves and become a new or “better” person in that first month – or at all. Who we are is enough – and you don’t need any resolutions if that’s not your vibe! The pressure to be a functioning, well-adjusted, ever-improving adult can be crushing enough as it is. Add in trying to “fix” everything in those first few weeks of the year, and you’ll feel even more pressure. It is certainly not necessary to add to it. Especially during a time of year when we are feeling called to rest: the winter season.

Recognizing the role of the season of winter is important. At least in my part of the world, this time of year is cold. A lot of the time, all you want to do is get cozy and not leave your house. Though that isn’t always the best course of action (and getting outside certainly has it’s benefits in the winter for Seasonal Affective Disorder), it’s also in our nature. Literally, the nature outside is in hibernation – it’s no wonder we feel the pull to do as well. It is truly not sustainable to be “on” for every month of the year. Though January might feel like the right time to jumpstart all of those resolutions, it is equally a great time to rest and prepare for what is to come.

So if all you want to do these next few months of deep winter weather is stay cozy and warm at home, and not look at those resolutions or goals – that is completely okay. Dare I say, it might even be the best course of action. Carving out time for rest is definitely something I struggle with, so I may take it upon myself to embrace rest even more than usual. I know we’ll be gearing up for the big moments soon. In the meantime, rest is just as important as every other item on your goal-setting and resolutions list.

Re-setting my resolutions and choosing to embrace them slowly, and sustainably, is what I’ll be focusing on now. Though I am still looking forward to growth this year, approaching it in a slower way feels more aligned. If you’re also feeling the pull to rest rather than consistently grow right now, you aren’t alone. It is in our nature to slow down, and perhaps it’s best for all of us to embrace it. Wishing you warmth and rest as you move throughout these next few months. ❤️