I’m Easing Into my New Year… And I’m Not Apologizing for It

Written By Jasmine Newton

Easing Into the New Year

January is loud.

Everybody’s talking about goals, intentions, routines, new habits, new versions of themselves. And this year? I was like… yeah, I’m not doing all that. Instead of rushing into the year like it’s a race I’ll lose if I don’t sprint, I’m easing in. Because I’ve already learned what happens when I ignore my body, my mental health, and the season I’m actually in.

Spoiler alert: it ends in burnout, resentment, and questioning every decision I made while “pushing through.”

That ain’t cute.

A Little Context (Because Real Life Still Exists)

These past couple weeks were my first weeks back after my sabbatical. The holiday decorations are back in storage. My son is back in school. I’m booking photo shoots again. I’m learning a new skill. I’ve settled into a new morning rhythm. And honestly? It’s been a good start to the year.

But let me be clear, that doesn’t mean every day feels easy. Some days are hectic. Some days feel like a lot. Some days I’m energized, focused, and ready. Other days… not so much. The difference this year isn’t that life suddenly got simpler, the difference is how I’m choosing to move through it.

I didn’t wake up thinking, “It’s January, time to hustle.” I didn’t pressure myself to sprint. I didn’t try to control how everything turned out. I made a plan. I started following the plan. And when my day was done… I was done. One afternoon I finished earlier than usual and thought, this… this is how I want my workdays to feel. Not because they’ll always be short. But because they felt aligned.

That’s the difference.

What “Easing In” Actually Looks Like

Let’s be real, “slowing down” sounds nice, but without structure it just turns into guilt. So here’s what easing in actually looks like in practice.

1. I’m Choosing Pace Before Productivity

Instead of asking myself,
“What should I be doing right now?”

I’m asking,
“What pace can I realistically move at today without burning myself out?”

Because some days I have energy… and some days I don’t. Instead of fighting that or judging myself for it, I’m paying attention to it.

Try this:

  • Each morning, rate your energy from 1–5

  • If you’re at a 1–2: go easy. Choose maintenance tasks only (emails, admin, light planning)

  • If you’re at a 3–4: focus on three priority tasks

  • If you’re at a 5: great! Knock out that to-do list

2. I’m Staying Visible Without Doing Everything

I didn’t disappear.
I didn’t stop showing up.
I just stopped trying to do all the things.

There was a lot that was on my plate last year… and I let it go. I needed room to reset, to intentionally give myself mental space to move forward in a new way. One thing I knew I wanted to adjust was how I show up online. That always stressed me out and has been and on and off thing. Sometimes I’m everywhere all the time… sometimes I’m quiet for months. I needed to find a rhythm that works for me without letting the noise of what I “should do” overide what my mind, energy, and daily life could handle.

Some days, consistency looks like doing a lot.
Some days, it looks like doing exactly what you planned… and stopping.

Try this:

  • Decide one non-negotiable visibility action per week (one post, one email, one touchpoint)

  • Everything else is optional, not required

  • If you do more, great … if not, you still showed up

Consistency isn’t volume. It’s follow-through.

3. I’m Honoring the Slow Season Instead of Fighting It

For a long time, when things slowed down, I took it personally. Like something was wrong with me. Like I wasn’t doing enough. But January is slower for a lot of people. Even nature is still on chill mode. That’s just real. So instead of forcing momentum, I’m working with the season. I’m observing and adjusting.

Try this:

  • Stop asking “How do I speed this up?”

  • Start asking “What is this season good for?”

    • Planning

    • Skill building

    • Systems cleanup

    • Rest without guilt

Slow doesn’t mean stuck. It means time to do things you normally don’t have time to do when it’s busy.

4. I’m Letting Clarity Come Before Commitment

I’m also not locking myself into everything right now. I’m paying attention first.

How do I feel doing this?
Does this feel aligned or heavy?
Does this actually need to happen right now or just eventually?

Try this:

  • Before committing, give yourself a 24–72 hour pause

  • Ask:

    • Is this urgent or just loud?

    • Will this add pressure or support?

  • If it’s unclear, it’s a “not yet”

January doesn’t have to decide your whole year, it’s just the beginning.

5. I’m Designing Days to Feel Steady

This is a big one for me. I’m designing days that feel manageable in my body and my soul. Some days will be full. Some days will be light. The goal isn’t control, it’s alignment.

Try this:

  • Plan your days with buffer built in

  • Choose an intentional stop time

  • Leave space between tasks (even 15 minutes counts)

If your days constantly feel like too much, the problem may be how they’re designed.

The Bottom Line

I’m easing into this year because I care enough to pay attention to how I feel, to what I need, and to what actually works for me. I’m learning how to move through full days and quiet days without losing myself in either one.

So if you’re easing into this year instead of rushing…
If you’re paying attention to your capacity…
If you’re choosing alignment over pressure…

You’re not behind.

You’re building something that can actually last.

I talked more about this season and what easing in has looked like for me in a short video on my Youtube channel.

Thanks for reading.

Jasmine Newton http://www.javonreneeportraits.com
Next

The Messy Middle