New Year Resolutions vs New Year Rituals: Why I’m Choosing the Gentler Way This January
January always feels a bit intense doesn’t it?
Everywhere you look, people are talking about fresh starts and big resolutions. For years, I tried to do the same. I’d write long lists, promise myself huge lifestyle changes and then feel guilty when life got in the way within a week or two. The truth is, resolutions have never really stuck for me. They always felt like pressure rather than support.
Rituals however… that’s a completely different story.
Resolutions vs Rituals: What I’ve Learned
Resolutions are usually big, all or nothing goals.
- Lose weight
- Save money
- Become organised
- Cut out treats
- Overhaul your life.
They sound great on paper but they don’t match real day to day life - at least not mine.
Rituals are different. They’re small habits and gentle moments that make you feel grounded without demanding a huge lifestyle shift. Over the past year I’ve realised rituals support me far more than any rigid resolution ever has.
Why Rituals Feel Better
I love rituals because they take away the pressure.
There’s no big promise. No “new me”.
Just little choices that help me feel calmer and more like myself.
And they speak to your senses, soft light, warmth, movement, or even a familiar scent. It’s amazing how something so simple can shift your whole mood.
A Few Rituals That Have Actually Helped Me
These are the things I’m genuinely doing - nothing performative, nothing fancy, just small habits that help me feel balanced.
My Morning Reset Ritual
I’ll be totally honest. I still start most mornings with a Red Bull. It’s a habit I haven’t quite shaken yet, and I’m not pretending otherwise. But I have made one small change that’s actually helped. Before I crack it open, I drink a glass of water, open the curtains and give myself a quiet minute to breathe and let my mind catch up with my body. It’s not perfect, but it’s realistic and it works for me.
On my drive to work, I listen to self development podcasts instead of the news. I stopped listening to the news completely because it was so negative and it set my anxiety off before my day even began. Podcasts feel uplifting and I actually arrive feeling calmer instead of drained.
An Evening Wind Down
Evenings used to be a blur for me. Finish work, scroll, collapse.
Now I try to be more intentional:
- Dim lighting
- Phone away
- A warm drink or, if I’m honest, sometimes a glass of chardonnay (which is progress because historically I’d easily pour more than I needed after a long day).
This part of the day has become a real ritual for me. Not perfect, just peaceful.
A Weekly Reset Hour (Without the Meal Prep)
I always see people doing big weekly meal preps… and I can’t lie, that has never worked for me. I can’t cook, I don’t enjoy it and I refuse to pretend otherwise.
So instead, my weekly ritual is simple:
- Fresh bedding
- Tidy a corner
- Light a cosy candle
Just an hour to sort my space or my mind. It feels like a reset without the performance.
Gratitude & Meditation
These two have become non-negotiables for me. A few minutes of gratitude before bed. A few minutes of meditation when I feel overwhelmed. They make me feel more present and less frantic, and they don’t require any big lifestyle overhaul. Just a moment to check in with myself.
Where Scent Fits Into My Rituals (A Little Reflection From Me)
I never actually used scent intentionally until I started making candles. I thought it was just something pretty you have in the background. But over time I realised that fragrance can become an emotional cue.
Fresh scents like Triumph or Reign help me feel clearer in the morning while warmer scents such as Rival, Euphoria or Haven help me unwind in the evening.
I didn’t force it. It naturally became part of my routine as my brain associated certain smells with certain moods.
You don’t need candles to have rituals but if scent is something you enjoy, it gently deepens the moment and helps your mind switch into the right state.
My Hope for You This Year
You don’t need to reinvent yourself this January.
You don’t need a strict list or a complete life transformation.
You just need a few honest moments that help you feel grounded again.
Rituals grow quietly. They support you and they stick around long after resolutions fade.
And if you know me, you’ll know I’m all about small, realistic steps that are achievable.
If that’s the energy you want to bring into 2026, you’re in good company.
Ready to create your own ritual moments? Explore our handcrafted vegan candles and find the perfect scent to anchor your New Year intentions.
If you would like to know more about our journey and why we create vegan, handcrafted candles then check our our Backburners story.
