Welcome to 2026 and Permission to Ease In

The start of a new year often comes with a familiar message. Become a new person. Build new habits. Set big goals and start immediately.

While this approach works for some people, it does not work for most. And January is usually the reason.

By the time January arrives, many of us are exhausted. The holidays bring family dynamics, travel, financial stress, and emotional labor. Even joyful moments require energy. Yet culturally, January is framed as the perfect time to overhaul our lives.

This pressure to start strong often leads to burnout by February.

When you are coming out of a busy or emotionally heavy season, even small decisions can feel overwhelming. That is not a lack of discipline or motivation. That is being human. Meaningful and lasting change takes time.

Why Timing Matters

Setting intentions for the year is still valuable. Intentions give us direction and something to move toward. But timing matters just as much as desire.

After more than a decade of coaching, one pattern has remained consistent. Spring is when our energy naturally aligns with the desire to make changes. The days become longer. Nature begins to renew itself. We slowly emerge from winter rest feeling more capable of action.

When we try to force change in January, we are often working against our natural rhythms rather than with them.

You are not behind. You are being wise.

Preparation Is Not Procrastination

The early months of the year can be a season of recovery and preparation. This is a time to reflect on what last year brought, recharge your energy, and plan what comes next.

Preparation might look like:

• Clearing physical or emotional clutter to make space for what is ahead

• Having honest conversations about boundaries or support you need

• Saving money for a course, trip, or investment in yourself

• Processing experiences from last year so you can move forward lighter

• Resting and rebuilding your energy reserves

None of this is wasted time. It is the foundation that makes real change sustainable.

Real progress often happens quietly before anything visible shifts.

Moving Forward in Your Own Time

Time will continue to pass, and when you are ready, you will take steps in the direction you desire. There is no single correct timeline for growth or change.

Wherever you are right now, planning, taking action, or still figuring out what you want, you are exactly where you need to be.

If you are open to sharing, I would love to hear where you are in this season. You can leave a comment or reach out anytime. I read every message and genuinely enjoy hearing from you.