Feels good to be writing again.
Over the last couple of months, I’ve changed jobs twice, switching from one to another, and in November, I started from scratch again. One thing that I’ve noticed during this time is that I needed to slow down and simplify my routines. I was overwhelmed by the huge amount of motivational posts on social media, posts about having these elaborate morning, day and night routines, and the need to over-complicate every single thing we do. I was putting off going back to my exercise routine for that very reason. So I decided that my New Year’s resolution will be simplifying the way I live my life.
Where did I start?
I love talking about my morning routine, and I believe having one really makes a difference. But in this period of transition, I had a hard time focusing and following even that. I would read, but I only found comfort in less complex stories and novels telling a story about someone else, instead of reading about improving myself. When it came to house chores, it felt the same. I was only doing what absolutely needed to be done, and then spent the rest of the time feeling bad about not being productive.
I stayed in a constant state of worry and caution, feeling unproductive, scrolling on social media with no end or a goal. So the first thing I decided to do for my health was to deactivate all my personal social media accounts. I did this before too (tried to), but it didn’t have the same effect. This time I did not miss it at all. I needed the time off. I needed to be free from all the drama, fake happiness and glorified over-consumerism. It felt terrific to be off.
I’m not saying everyone needs to do it. But if you have been thinking about it and have been overwhelmed by everything you see online, take this as a good sign to do it!
The effect wasn’t what I expected
Another thing I thought I would gain by disappearing from social media is more time. I was still unaware of what my body and mind needed after a long period of constant stress. And I complained to my partner one day, saying how I did all these things to organize my time better, so that I can be more productive, have more time during the day to clean the parts of the house I always postpone, meal prep and so on. He just replied and said, “But you don’t have to be productive all the time. You were under stress every day for the past three months, maybe all that you need to do now is just lie and watch TV shows in the evening, without thinking about anything else.”
And it was all I needed indeed. How is it that we don’t see something so simple that’s been in front of us all along?
Change starts with small steps
Good new year resolutions often focus on habits. I mentioned how I wasn’t exercising because I felt it had to be complicated to work. I don’t like going to the gym alone or without a trainer, but I couldn’t afford that now. Other options close to me didn’t work for other reasons, so I was left unhappy with my body. I wanted to work out at home but I felt like I’m not disciplined enough to be “that girl”. In reality, what distracted me from home workouts was the abundance of Youtube videos and trainers, and types of exercises. I was overwhelmed by it.
Finding motivation for a new year can help you begin your plans. So I decided to simplify it. I bought an exercise bike (long term investment) and started by just riding the bike in the morning (hello again, my lovely morning routine!) and doing a few sets of simple exercises every other day. I don’t need to do complex exercises I don’t even understand how to do, to reach a muscle I didn’t even know existed. I just needed to move my body.
If you want to simplify, here’s what to do
I babbled enough about me, but I just wanted to remind you that you’re not alone if you’re feeling the same way. Many people reflect on their new year and resolutions to start fresh, so if you like the idea of a simplified life, I would recommend doing a “life audit”. Start by answering these questions:
- What in my environment adds stress rather than support?
- When do I feel most like myself, without trying to be anything else?
- What would change if I allowed myself to do a little less, not more?
- If my life felt simpler, what would be different on an ordinary day?
- Where do I feel the most resistance when I think about my days?
I don’t want to overwhelm your already overwhelmed mind, so I think that is enough for a start. Ideas for a New Year’s resolution can be simple and practical. Think about the things that bring you joy, and the ones that don’t. Is there something you are doing just because everyone else is, or because you feel like you need to do it?
Don’t overthink about it, pull a piece of paper and write down everything that comes to mind. Think about this as figuring out your goals for the new year. What parts of your routine are you over-complicating? Do you dread making lunch because you’re following 20 step Instagram recipes that call for ingredients you haven’t even heard about? Try making a simple salad instead. Or roast potatoes with chicken, you get what I mean.
Setting “your” word for 2026
I like the idea of thinking of a single word that will be “your” word for the next year, something you want to embody. As you can imagine, my chosen word is Simplify. Maybe you can do the same. You can also create a vision board with all the things you want to achieve or feel next year, and see what word pops into your mind when you look at your board. Don’t worry, if you’re not a visual person and don’t like the idea, you don’t have to do it. You can just write down your word on a piece of paper and have it somewhere visible.
Setting intentions for the new year gives you a clear starting point.
Tools that can help
This is tricky because using a bunch of tools can also do more damage than help if you are not in the right headspace for it. It can make you more overwhelmed, and I don’t want that. So I am going to let you decide if you are up for it or not (no shame!).
I created this free life bundle for anyone who wants to reset their life. If you decide to use it, I would love to hear your feedback on it!
Even more, I would love to hear what you think would be helpful for you to have when you feel overwhelmed. Please write your New Year’s resolution in the comments, and what you do when life feels heavy.
And lastly, I want to wish you all a happy New Year! I hope 2026 is kind to you! 🤍
