How to beat the January blues without making resolutions

January can feel like a weird in-between month. The twinkle has gone, the days are still short, and suddenly we’re expected to feel energised, motivated, and brand new… just because the calendar changed. If you’re feeling a bit flat (or full-on glum), you’re not alone — and you don’t need a list of strict New Year’s resolutions to feel better.

Instead, think of January as a gentle “reset month”: a chance to steady your footing, restore your energy, and move forward with kindness and clarity.

Why resolutions can set us up to feel worse

Resolutions often fail not because you’re lazy or “not disciplined enough,” but because the way we set them up is mismatched with real life.

Here’s what tends to happen:

• They’re too big, too soon. “Exercise every day” sounds inspiring… until week two when life happens.
• They rely on willpower at the worst time of year. January is low-light, low-energy for many of us, and willpower is a finite resource.
• They create an all-or-nothing mindset. Miss one day and it’s easy to think, “Well, I’ve failed now,” and give up entirely.
• They’re often rooted in self-criticism. Many resolutions are basically “I’m not enough, so I must fix myself,” which is a tough foundation for lasting change.

So if resolutions tend to make you feel guilty, behind, or disappointed, it’s not you. It’s the structure.

The alternative? Focus on supportive habits, tiny shifts, and a theme for the month — something that helps you feel good now, not “perfect later.”

A January reset without resolutions: easy, uplifting ideas

1) Choose a “January theme” instead of a goal

A theme gives you direction without pressure. Pick one word or phrase that feels supportive, like:

• Steady
• Clear
• Warmth
• Nourish
• Less rush, more rhythm
• Make space

Then ask, “What’s one small thing I can do today that fits this theme?”

It turns self-improvement into self-support.

2) Use the 10-minute rule (because motivation is unreliable)

If you’re waiting to “feel like it,” you might be waiting a while. Instead, try this:

• Set a timer for 10 minutes
• Do the thing (stretch, tidy, journal, walk, plan meals, read)
• Stop when the timer ends if you want to

Ten minutes is low resistance, and it builds trust with yourself — which is far more powerful than forcing big changes.

3) Create a tiny morning “anchor”

Not a full routine. Just one small thing you do most mornings that tells your nervous system, I’m safe, I’m here, I’m grounded.

Ideas:

• Open curtains and get daylight in your eyes
• Make a hot drink and drink the first few sips slowly
• Write one sentence: “Today I want to feel…”
• Put on music while you get ready
• Light a candle for 2 minutes while you breathe

These are small, but they signal steadiness — and steadiness is the antidote to January wobble.

4) Plan for energy, not productivity

January blues often come with brain fog and low drive. So instead of pushing harder, try planning around your real energy.

A simple approach:

• One priority for the day (the “must”)
• One nice-to-do (something that makes life smoother)
• One joy thing (even small)

That’s it. Three things. Sustainable and achievable.

5) Move your body in a way that feels kind

Movement doesn’t have to be intense to change your mood. A gentle walk, stretching, dancing to one song, yoga in pyjamas — it all counts.

If you want an easy start:

• Put on a song you love
• Move for the length of that song
• Finish while you still feel good

This helps you associate movement with relief, not punishment.

6) Reduce the “life noise” (especially in the evenings)

January can amplify the feeling of overwhelm. One of the quickest mood-lifts is reducing input.

Try a simple evening boundary:

• Pick a “screens off” time that feels realistic (even 20 minutes before bed)
• Replace it with something soothing: a shower, skincare, reading, journaling, music, stretching

You don’t need to overhaul your life — you just need a little more quiet.

7) Give yourself something to look forward to each week

When the season feels long, tiny pockets of anticipation are powerful.

Ideas:

• A weekly coffee date (even at home with a fancy mug)
• A museum/gallery visit
• A midweek takeaway
• A long bath and early night
• A new book or podcast episode saved for walks

This isn’t “treat culture.” It’s emotional fuel.

A simple “no-resolutions” January check-in (2 minutes)

If you want a quick way to feel more focused, try these prompts: Journal!

• What’s draining me right now?
• What’s replenishing me (even a little)?
• What do I want more of this month?
• What is one tiny change I could make this week?

No pressure. No perfection. Just information — and from that, gentler choices.

One more thing: art can lift your spirits in a way words can’t

Sometimes the quickest path out of the January blues isn’t another plan — it’s a feeling. And art has this wonderful ability to shift the atmosphere of a room (and your inner world) without you having to “try harder.”

Colour, texture, movement, softness, boldness — it all speaks to the parts of us that are tired of thinking and just want to feel.

That’s a big part of why I make my abstract mixed-media pieces: to help you create a home (and a life) that feels like a sanctuary — energising when you need a lift, calming when you need to exhale. I hear this often from collectors too: “It always brightens my day to see your work!”

If you’re craving a small shift this January, you could start with something simple:

• a fine art print that brings warmth to your space,
• a greeting card that turns into a mini artwork on a shelf,
• or a journal that makes your “fresh start” feel inviting rather than demanding.

If you’d like to browse what’s available right now, you can explore all of my current collections here.

No resolutions required — just little moments of beauty that help you feel more like you again.

AND as a little bonus, if you liked the January Reset ideas and the Journal Prompts, I have created a PDF download for them both, which you can grab from the brand new FREEBIES page on my website...you're welcome :)