The start of a new year always makes me reflective — not in a “new year, new me” kind of way, but in a quieter, more honest way. I find myself thinking less about big resolutions and more about the kind of life I actually want to live day to day. This year, my word is organize. Not in a picture-perfect, color-coded way, but in a way that brings more calm and intention into everyday life. I want routines that work on the busy days, the tired days, and the days when nothing goes as planned. I’m trying to slow things down on purpose. That looks like creating a simple daily rhythm instead of constantly reacting to the clock. It means setting aside even ten quiet minutes for myself, putting the phone away in the evenings, and giving Saturdays a break fully from screens when I can. I want to read more actual books, get more creative with sourdough, and finish a craft project instead of starting three new ones. At home, I’m focusing on making things feel lighter and more manageable. Decluttering one space at a time. Finishing projects that have been sitting half-done. Creating systems that make daily life easier instead of more complicated. I want a home that feels lived in, but not overwhelming — a place where you can walk in and immediately exhale. This year also holds a lot of meaningful family moments, and I don’t want to rush through them. I want to be present for the big milestones and the small everyday ones. That means more intentional time together, more family game nights, more conversations that don’t feel hurried. Sometimes that’s a planned evening, and sometimes it’s just sitting together at the end of a long day. I’m also trying to be more mindful about taking care of myself. Burnout has a way of sneaking up when you’re busy taking care of everyone else. So this year I’m choosing better habits — drinking more water, moving my body gently, eating with intention, and giving myself permission to rest when I need to. Not as a luxury, but as something necessary. Faith and gratitude are grounding forces for me, and I want to make space for them daily. Slowing down enough to pray, to reflect, and to notice the good that’s already here has a way of changing everything else. If you’re reading this and feeling overwhelmed by the idea of New Year’s resolutions, here’s my encouragement: don’t try to change everything at once. Pick one or two small things that would make your days feel a little better. Maybe it’s putting your phone away after supper. Maybe it’s reading one book just for yourself. Maybe it’s going to bed earlier or writing things down instead of carrying them around in your head. Small habits, done consistently, matter more than big plans that don’t last. Here’s to a year that feels steadier, more intentional, and a little more like home — one small step at a time.
