I had planned a small planning and self-care retreat to kick off the new year, but with a new hire to onboard and the usual January tasks, I kept things simple: a full day of planning, organizing, and prepping for the months ahead. It turned out to be exactly what the studio—and my head—needed.
Below I’m sharing a look at that day plus seven practical tips for starting the year fresh, created in partnership with Seven Daughters. We mixed cleaning and organizing with a little self-care—Stephanie, who manages social media here, and I tackled it all.
Seven practical tips for starting fresh this year
1. Do a deep clean. Deep cleaning isn’t always thrilling, but once it’s done you feel so much lighter. Sweeping, mopping, scrubbing—getting the basics tackled clears physical clutter and creates mental space. Start the year with a clean slate and you’ll be surprised how motivating it feels.
2. Organize next. After holiday projects and December’s creative chaos, organizing is essential. I picked up storage boxes and discounted gift boxes and started sorting loose items—mostly yarn from a new project and other craft supplies. Label, sort, and contain anything that’s been scattered for months.
We rewarded ourselves for completing the first two tasks with a casual glass of wine—because small celebrations help keep momentum. On this day we enjoyed white wines (Moscato and Chardonnay), but any small treat works when you’re powering through chores.
3. Give everything a home. This naturally follows organizing: assign a dedicated place for all items so clutter doesn’t creep back in. We moved boxes under the stairs—easy to access but out of the way. Simple storage solutions reduce decision fatigue and keep daily life smoother.
4. Step away from your screen. If you’re stuck, stressed, or uninspired, unplug for a while. Read a book, take a nap, go for a walk, or simply sit quietly—avoid phones, tablets, computers, and TV for a bit. I’ve started closing my laptop for short breaks each morning and afternoon; those pauses help me see the bigger picture and plan more intentionally instead of getting lost in the day-to-day.
5. Change something—big or small. Once the practical tasks are done, make at least one change to signal a fresh start. That can be a website tweak, a studio rearrangement, or even moving the couch to a different wall. Small changes provide immediate gratification and can jump-start bigger momentum for the year.
6. Choose a word or short phrase that defines your year. Picking a single word or a concise phrase can help focus your intentions. It doesn’t need to be profound—something simple that resonates with you is enough. Your word can evolve over the year; there’s no rule that it must be permanent. For example, I’m working with themes like “realizing stuff” and “not giving a f***,” which may sound blunt but help clarify priorities and keep me honest.
7. Prioritize self-care. This is arguably the most important step. It’s easy to push personal care to the bottom of the list when life and work demand attention, but small, consistent actions—proper sleep, a quick workout, styling your hair, or a few minutes of quiet—make a big difference. Treat self-care as essential time rather than an indulgence, and you’ll be better equipped to handle everything else.
Those are my seven tips for starting the year with clarity and momentum. I’d love to hear how you kick off your year—what routines, rituals, or projects help you feel motivated and excited? Share your ideas in the comments.
How do you usually kick-start your new year? Any tips I missed?
—
This post was created in partnership with Seven Daughters. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Paper & Stitch running.