I'm Carrying into the New Year

Instead of trying to overhaul everything in January (which is usually my MO!), I'm carrying a few steady habits with me — the kind that quietly support my day without needing constant motivation. Nothing extreme. Just small choices that help me feel a little more grounded in the slower days of winter with a little toddler on my hip.

Here’s what that looks like for me right now...

1. Protein Before Caffeine

Before coffee, I try to eat something with protein — even if it’s simple. Hard boiled eggs. Greek yogurt. Ezekial english muffin with peanut butter. Protein pancakes. This helps stabilize blood sugar, supports steady energy, and prevents that mid-morning crash that caffeine alone can cause.

Especially as a new mama, it's easy for me to forget to eat a full breakfast, and some days I simply don't have the time! Making sure I have simple, quick protein options prepped in the fridge or freezer means I can grab a bite and not just be fueled by espresso!

2. Screen-Free Evenings 

I'm working on putting my phone on the charger at dinner and leaving it there for the night! No scrolling while eating, no picking it back up “just for a second.” I even put together a screen-free basket for myself and my husband with some of our favorite wind down activities: sudoku, crossword puzzles, my kindle, a creative writing prompt journal, sketch pad, even a coloring book just for fun.

Even just a few hours without screens helps my nervous system slow down and makes sleep come easier.

3. A Short Gratitude Practice

For a few years, I had a specific gratitude journal where I would jot down 3-5 things specific to that day that I was grateful for. It helped me look for moments throughout the day that made me thankful, instead of writing generalizations each night "food", "family", "our home."

Now, with a little one and a much busier schedule, I just write one thing in my planner at the end of each day that I'm grateful for! Sometimes at dinner, my husband and I share a "high and low" for the day, or "rose and thorn" to reflect on the day and talk about the moments that brought us joy and even some of the hard moments. 

It’s simple, but it shifts perspective in a real way, especially during busy or heavy seasons. And it can really change your heart posture when you think about all you truly have to be grateful for.

4. Fewer Products, Used Intentionally

It's so easy to get swept up in consumer culture. Everywhere you turn, ads are popping up or influencers are sharing the newest "must buy jeans for millennial moms" (I'm not the only one seeing these posts, right?!). Rather than purchasing the latest trending items, this year - we’re simplifying. Fewer products, fewer "things", used consistently and with care, feels more supportive than chasing the next thing.

This applies to skincare, wellness, and life in general! I've made it a point to try and donate or discard 25 items from our home each month, and only replace things that have been well worn/loved and are due for an update. It's reminding me to be a good steward of the things I already have, and not feel like I "NEED" more.

5. Keeping Small Daily Rituals

I'm not in a season that's conducive to calls an elaborate routine - just a few repeatable moments. I try to make the bed every morning - even if nothing else gets done on my list, this feels like a little victory. My husband and I take 10-15 minutes after we put our daughter down to reset the house - toys put away, dishes done, coffee pot set set for the next day. This helps feel like the next morning we have a fresh start. 

It sounds so simple, but as a busy mom, even making sure to wash my face and apply my nighttime skincare makes a world of difference in unwinding for the night. 

These small steps help create a rhythm and flow to my day, even when the rest of the moments stay full.

6. Letting Rest Be Part of the Plan

If I'm being honest, rest isn’t something I'm good at. There's always more than can be done, cleaned, checked off. But my capacity for endless tasks has changed and I'm learning (through grace, and my sweet husband's encouragement), that rest isn't just something I need to earn or squeeze in a few moments at a time. It’s something I should plan for, even in small ways - an earlier bedtime, a slower morning, a moment of quiet before jumping into the day.

This year, I'm learning to trust that creativity, clarity, and good work often follow good rest.

A Gentle Perspective for the New Year

This is a new thing for me. Normally - I love to go, go, go. I'm a goal setter and a vision board gal and I love making plans and predictions and resolutions every year. But there's something sweet about this new, more gentle perspective on the new year.

Slower living doesn't have to look a certain way. It can be quiet, imperfect, and deeply personal. You're in tune with your body, your home, and your capacity in this season. Choose habits and routines that support your own pace - your own dreams and desires. 

No major reset required. Just steady, thoughtful steps forward.

Author: Gaby Wilson

Gaby has been part of the Flying Cow family for almost five years now! She has a Bachelor's degree in Communication with a minor in Business Management from Curry College (in a tiny town in Massachusetts). She moved to Texas from California in 2021, planning to stay for about 6 months, but the Lord had other plans...she met her now husband! They’ve been married for 2.5 years & just had a sweet baby girl. Gaby is loving being a stay at home mama & juggling some remote work for us from time to time!