Why This Is the Year I Stop Doing More and Start Embracing Less

As I step into this new year, I’m not looking to overhaul my life with resolutions that feel like chores or goals that might fizzle out by February. This time, I’m embracing a softer approach, focusing on doing more and embracing less. I’m letting go of what’s no longer serving me and learning to relax, to breathe, to simply be. I want to experience my life in a way that’s grounded in gratitude and presence, where I don’t feel the need to chase the next thing. This year, my only goal is to find peace within the life I’ve built and to sink into it fully.

Letting Go of What No Longer Serves Me

I’ve spent years saying “yes” to things that, deep down, didn’t align with who I am or what I value. Whether it was taking on extra commitments out of obligation or holding onto relationships that had quietly run their course, I felt weighed down by things I no longer needed but struggled to release.

Recently, I went through my closet, and as I sifted through the clothes, I realized how many pieces were tied to an old version of myself. Those clothes were perfectly good but simply didn’t resonate with who I am today. The act of clearing them out felt like a symbolic shedding of outdated parts of myself. This year, I want to apply that same approach to every area of my life—letting go of commitments, habits, and even mindsets that don’t serve the woman I am today.

Insight: Letting go doesn’t mean giving up; it means choosing freedom. It means making room for things that truly matter.

Unclenching My Jaw and Relaxing My Shoulders

One day, as I was working on my laptop, I noticed my shoulders were practically hugging my ears, and my jaw was tight enough to crack a walnut. I hadn’t realized just how much tension I carried in my body until that moment. It hit me that this tension wasn’t just physical—it was emotional. I was carrying the weight of stress, responsibility, and the constant feeling of needing to be “on” for everyone.

Now, when I catch myself tensing up, I stop, take a deep breath, and consciously relax my muscles. I think of it as a little self-check-in, a reminder that my body doesn’t need to carry the weight of the world. This year, I’m practicing this mindfulness daily. I want to greet each day with a sense of calm and allow my body to be in a state of peace.

Insight: Our bodies are often mirrors of our minds. By taking care of the tension within, we invite more peace and mindfulness into our lives.

Saying Goodbye to Hustle for Hustle’s Sake

For years, I thought productivity was a badge of honor. The busier I was, the more accomplished I felt. But as time went on, I realized that this “hustle culture” wasn’t bringing me closer to happiness or fulfillment. It was just exhausting me. I was so focused on ticking boxes and reaching goals that I forgot to savor the journey.

There were moments I missed out on with my family because I was glued to my phone, answering emails or planning my next move. This year, I’m committed to letting go of hustle for the sake of hustle. I still believe in working hard, but only for things that matter to me. I want to focus on purpose-driven actions that bring joy and meaning, rather than just chasing productivity for its own sake.

Insight: True success isn’t measured by how much we do but by the quality and purpose behind what we choose to do.

Sinking Into Moments with Loved Ones

Some of my most cherished memories are of simple, unplanned moments: baking cookies with my kids, a quiet few minutes with Matt in the early morning, or spontaneous laughter at the dinner table. But I’ve noticed how easily these moments slip by when my mind is occupied with to-do lists or future plans.

This year, I want to live fully in these moments. I want to be the kind of person who can sit with her family and not be distracted by what’s coming next. The other day, I put my phone in another room during dinner, and it felt revolutionary. Without the distraction, I could truly listen, laugh, and connect. It reminded me that these are the memories I want to build my life around.

Insight: Being present with those we love is one of the greatest gifts we can give—to them and to ourselves. Life’s beauty lies in the moments we choose to fully experience.

Enjoying the Life I’ve Built

How many of us take a step back to truly admire the life we’ve created? It’s so easy to get caught up in what’s missing or what’s next. But I realized recently that I’ve spent years working toward a life I already have. I have a loving family, a cozy home, and a sense of purpose—and yet, I rarely take time to appreciate it.

This year, I’m making a conscious effort to enjoy what I have right now. I want to soak in the beauty of an ordinary day, the kind that’s easy to overlook but is filled with simple joys. Recently, I spent an afternoon just reading by the window with a cup of tea, letting myself revel in the quiet. It was blissful. That’s the life I want to live this year—a life where I don’t constantly reach for the next thing but instead, savor what I’ve already built.

Insight: Contentment isn’t found in what’s ahead; it’s found in what’s here. The life we yearn for is often the life we’re already living.

Letting Go Instead of Doing More

In a society that praises busyness, the idea of doing less can feel almost radical. But I’m ready to embrace it. Instead of filling my calendar with more goals and projects, I’m focused on what I can let go of. I’m letting go of the need to prove myself, the guilt that comes with saying “no,” and the unrealistic expectations I often place on myself.

I remember a time not long ago when I would overcommit, feeling like I had to be everything to everyone. But that only led to burnout and resentment. This year, I’m choosing a different path. I’m going to protect my peace, my time, and my energy by embracing the art of letting go. This might mean fewer obligations and fewer goals, but it will create more space for joy and well-being.

Insight: Sometimes, less truly is more. By letting go, we allow ourselves to focus on what truly matters, bringing greater peace and fulfillment.

As I embark on this new year, my intention is simple yet profound: to live a life of intentionality, peace, and presence. This journey of letting go isn’t about emptying my life; it’s about filling it with the right things—the people, moments, and experiences that bring joy and meaning. I’m not seeking perfection, nor am I striving to achieve a certain image. Instead, I’m embracing the messy, beautiful, and perfectly imperfect life that I already have.

This year, I’m choosing to do less, feel more, and live deeply. My hope is that this journey will inspire others to find the courage to let go of what doesn’t serve them and to embrace a life that feels good, exactly as it is.