As the tenth of January 2026 arrives, a familiar sense of deflation settles in for many across the UK. The ambitious routines, strict diets, and grand promises of a 'new you' made just days ago are already beginning to crumble.
The Myth of the January Overhaul
Nicola Lewis, writing on January 10, 2026, argues that this cycle of resolution and rapid failure is almost inevitable. She points out that we attempt these drastic life changes during a month designed for hibernation and recovery from the festive season. The pressure to transform in 30 days feels fundamentally at odds with our natural rhythm.
Lewis draws from personal experience, recalling years of signing up for crowded gyms, overhauling diets, and even attempting to become a '5am person'. These efforts, piled on top of commuting, running a household, and daily life, led not to motivation but to a feeling of failure before the year had properly begun. By mid-January, the energy and initial zeal have typically evaporated, leaving disappointment in their wake.
Shifting Focus: From Pressure to Support
Instead of forcing change upon herself, Lewis now asks a different question as the new year dawns: what can I do to support my journey? The answer, she finds, lies not in dramatic physical overhauls but in addressing the invisible clutter that drains energy.
Her primary target is digital and mental clutter. An overflowing email inbox, for instance, creates a constant low-level stress. Her method is simple: delete, action, or file. Completing this task at the start of January creates a tangible sense of lightness and clarity. The same process applies to the scattered notes across apps, notebooks, and scraps of paper—consolidate, action, or bin them.
Practical Steps for a Kinder January
Lewis, who works professionally as an organiser, advocates for small, consistent actions over grand gestures. Here are her suggested steps for a sustainable start to 2026:
Start microscopically. Focus on a single drawer or surface you use daily, not a whole room. Clear, clean, and return only what you genuinely use or love.
Create a 'pending' pile. January isn't for final decisions. Box up items you're unsure about—clothes, paperwork, plans—and revisit them in spring when energy levels are naturally higher.
Edit your digital life. Unsubscribe from unused emails, delete redundant apps, and clear duplicate photos. These quick wins have a disproportionately calming effect.
Reset one simple routine. Choose a small, sustainable act like airing your bed while you shower, then neatly remaking it. This creates structure without strain.
The core message is to be kind about your pace. Progress doesn't need to be visible to be real. By letting go of what no longer serves us, we make space for a new chapter without burning out before it has even begun.
