Hey friends!
Every year around this time, the noise starts.
New year. New goals. New habits. New you.
And while reflection can be powerful, the pressure to fix everything by January 1st is exhausting — especially when you’re coming off a season that already asked so much of you. Before you set a single resolution…I want to invite you to try something softer.
Rest.
Not just physical rest (though that matters), but mental and emotional rest too. The kind that comes from slowing down long enough to check in with yourself instead of rushing into another plan.
Because clarity doesn’t come from pushing harder.
It comes from listening.
This Is Not a Resolution Post
This is a pause.
A chance to reflect on where you actually are — not where you think you should be.
Here are a few gentle questions to sit with before you decide what comes next.
1. What drained me this year — and what gave me energy?
Not everything that drained you was “bad,” and not everything that energized you was easy.
But your body and mind are always leaving clues.
Where did you feel stretched too thin?
Where did you feel more like yourself?
You don’t need to eliminate everything draining — but you can be more intentional about how much space it gets next year.
2. Where am I overcomplicating things?
So many of us are tired not because we’re doing too much — but because we’re making things harder than they need to be.
Too many systems.
Too many expectations.
Too many decisions.
What could be simplified?
What could be good enough?
Rest often begins with removing unnecessary weight.
3. What season of life am I actually in right now?
Not the season you wish you were in.
Not the season you used to be in.
This one.
Are you in a season of building? Maintaining? Recovering? Surviving? Growing slowly?
Your goals should match your capacity, not someone else’s timeline.
There is wisdom in honoring the season you’re in instead of fighting it.
4. What support would make life feel lighter?
This might look like:
- Better routines
- Clearer boundaries
- More structure
- Less structure
- Asking for help
- Using tools that actually fit your life
You don’t need more willpower.
You need systems and support that work with you.
5. What do I need more of — and less of — in the year ahead?
More rest?
More space?
More intention?
Less rushing?
Less pressure?
Less “I should”?
Let this guide you more than any resolution list ever could.
Let Rest Lead the Way
You don’t need to have everything figured out right now.
You’re allowed to:
- Move slowly
- Change your mind
- Build a life that feels supportive, not overwhelming
The new year doesn’t need a reinvention.
It needs honesty, reflection, and care.
If this resonated, I’d love to stay connected. January will bring new tools, resources, workshops, and the next chapter of what I’m building — all designed to help you create a life that works in real life.
You don’t have to do it alone.
Rest first. Then we’ll build — together. 💛
👉 Join the email list to be the first to know what’s coming in January.
💛
Nicole
Stay tuned for next week’s POP Talk!
This post may include affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. Regardless, I only share products and resources I genuinely love or find helpful!
