January always comes with big expectations. Fresh start energy, new routines, new goals, and the pressure to suddenly debut a brand-new version of yourself.
But let’s be real for a second: if you’re in the U.S. (or just existing in the world right now), this month has been a doozy.
Between the news cycle, the economy, weather chaos, and that general collective exhaustion that never fully left after the holidays, a lot of people are not exactly feeling “sparkly” right now.
Instead of feeling motivated, you might feel:
- Blocked
- Overstimulated
- Tired but wired
- Behind already
- Or just… off
The weirdest part is how this makes us feel like we’re “doing the New Year wrong.” If you aren’t waking up at 5:00 AM for a 12-step routine yet, you feel like you’ve already failed the semester.
But here’s the truth: Your worthiness is not tied to your January productivity.
This post is for anyone whose January reset is currently stuck at 1% and needs a little more compassion and a lot less pressure.
Listen to the episode!
January Is Always Weirder Than We Remember
We have this collective amnesia about how long January actually is. It is objectively long, emotionally long, and spiritually long. We come off the high of the holidays, real life slams back into focus, and suddenly we’re supposed to be productive, inspired, and disciplined all at once.
But in reality? January is still deep winter. In nature, this is the time for hibernation and quiet. Yet, we expect ourselves to be in full bloom. It’s very normal for your motivation to lag behind your intentions.
But in reality? It’s still winter. In nature, this is the time for hibernation and quiet.
As I mentioned to Nina in this episode, I often feel like Spring is the real New Year—that’s when things actually grow. Right now, it’s okay if your motivation is lagging behind your intentions.
If you wanted to kick off the year with a bang but you’re still “taking time off” mentally, give yourself some grace. The timeline in your head doesn’t always match the energy in your body.
The “Background Noise” Problem
I realized this week that my creative block wasn’t because I lacked ideas. It was because I had way too much background noise. I’ve been trying to “catch up” on TV shows while working, having podcasts on while journaling, and constantly scrolling.
When there is no silence, there is no space to hear yourself think.
We live in a world of constant stimulation, and I’ll be the first to admit I’m often on “three screens” at once—the big screen, the medium screen, and the small screen.
Clarity needs white space.
If you’re feeling blocked, try to eliminate one screen. Try to journal in actual silence. It feels uncomfortable at first—maybe even painful—but that’s just the habit of overstimulation leaving the body.
You can’t be the star of your movie if you’re too busy watching everyone else’s.
Breaking the “NPC” Autopilot
Nina and I talked about this terrifying stat: many people, by the time they hit 30, end up living the same daily routine for the rest of their lives. That bothers me. I don’t want 2026 to be a “repeat” of last year.
We often fall into “NPC” (non-playing character) mode—just going through the motions on autopilot. You aren’t even there; you’re just a passenger in your own life.
- You’re running the same systems.
- You’re repeating the same habits.
- You’re reacting to the same triggers.
To get out of autopilot, you need a “bird’s eye view.”
You have to look at your life like an outsider and ask: Why is this not working? It’s not that you aren’t good enough; it’s usually that your systems are outdated.
The Debate: “Become Unrecognizable” vs. The Soft Reset
There’s a lot of content out there right now about “becoming unrecognizable in 2026.”
Nina and I actually went back and forth on this in the episode. Part of me feels a little sad about that messaging—why do we need to “rebrand” who we are? Why can’t we just circle back to what makes us feel good?
But the other part of me—the part that was looking into doing 75 Hard—craves that “savage” discipline to just shake things up and break old patterns.
Here is where I landed: You don’t need a personality transplant, but you might need a system overhaul.
Sometimes you need to be a little “hardcore” on your habits to protect your peace. Whether that’s a “dopamine detox” from TikTok or a commitment to intense action, find the level of “reset” that makes you feel alive, not just exhausted.
Success is a Feeling
I had a breakthrough in therapy recently about a new definition of success. For me, success this year looks like: Feeling peace about where my life has been, while staying excited about what is to come.
It’s about accepting “Past Nina” for getting me here, while being curious about the “Next Iteration Nina.” Your life is going to be interesting. It won’t always be linear or aesthetic, but it will be yours.
If you’re 30, 50, or 70 (shoutout to Donna Kelsey on The Traitors!), stay curious. Keep making room for “Surprise and Delight.”
A Simple Action Plan for a Slow January
If you aren’t ready for a full-throttle 2026 yet, try these “soft” moves to get back into alignment:
1. The Silence Audit
Turn off the background TV or podcast for 30 minutes and see what thoughts come up.
2. Replace, Don’t Just Quit
If you’re trying to scroll less, have a book or a journal physically sitting on your phone so you have a new habit to grab.
3. Check Your Systems
If a goal isn’t working, stop blaming your willpower. Ask, “How can I make the process easier?”
Embody the Word: Whatever your “word of the year” is, ask yourself: What does this look like in my body right now?
You Are Not Behind
You are not failing the year. You are just in the messy, quiet “Act One” of your 2026 screenplay. Let it be slow. Let it be imperfect.
The goal isn’t to be “unrecognizable” to yourself; it’s to finally recognize what you actually need to feel awake in your own life again.
Want to hear the full conversation about new year resets, the “Year of the Snake,” and our therapy breakthroughs? Listen to the Life Goals In Progress podcast on Apple or Spotify.
How are you actually doing this month? Are you in a “savage” discipline phase or a “soft reset” phase?
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