A gentler way to begin this year
There’s a particular kind of tired that settles in after a few years of doing everything at once — growing babies, chasing toddlers, working, traveling, keeping a household running. It’s not burnout exactly. It’s more like… you realize you’ve been living on autopilot, and you’re ready to feel like yourself again.
This year, my husband and I decided to approach things differently. Not with a big overhaul or an extreme plan — just a gentle shift back toward feeling better in our bodies and more grounded in our days. We’ve been calling it our 2026 Soft Reset.
Not a glow-up.
Not a crash diet.
Just a quiet return to habits that support real life.
The kind of reset that actually lasts.
What a “Soft Reset” looks like in real life
For us, it means choosing routines that feel supportive instead of restrictive. It means paying attention to energy, sleep, hydration, movement — without turning any of it into another thing to be perfect at.
Some days that looks like getting outside for a walk.
Some days it’s just remembering to drink enough water.
Some days it’s five minutes of skincare before bed instead of collapsing into sleep.
It’s not about doing everything — it’s about doing a few small things consistently.
And honestly? That feels like luxury right now.
A softer way of eating, too
Along with changing how we move and rest, we’ve also been gently shifting how we eat. We’ve always cooked at home, but this season is about being a little more intentional — more protein, heart-healthy meals, and cleaner, simpler ingredients that actually leave us feeling good afterward.
Nothing extreme. Just meals that feel lighter, more balanced, and more supportive of the way we want to feel this year.
Some days that looks like a real sit-down dinner. Other days it’s a protein shake that keeps me full when the day gets away from me. Both count.
I’ve been saving the recipes and simple meal ideas we’re actually using — the ones that fit into real family life — so if you’re in the same season, you don’t have to reinvent everything.
👉 You can find them on my Pinterest Board- The Kitchen Edit
The idea of feeling better — not becoming someone else
I think so much of modern wellness sells this idea that you have to become a whole new person to be healthy. New routine, new diet, new identity. But most of us don’t need to reinvent ourselves — we just need to feel a little more like ourselves again.
More rested.
More clear-headed.
A little more glowy.
Less depleted.
That’s what this season is about for me.
Quiet upgrades.
Simple rituals.
Things that make everyday life feel a little more cared for.
What I’m actually reaching for lately
Over the last few months, I’ve started gravitating toward products and habits that support that feeling — things that make mornings easier, nights calmer, and my body feel a little more supported day to day.
Nothing dramatic.
Just the kinds of things that help you show up feeling slightly more put-together than you did before.
I pulled all of my current favorites into one place — everything I’m using as part of this Soft Reset — so it’s easy to browse if you’re in the same season.
👉 You can find my full 2026 Soft Reset Edit here.
It’s a mix of wellness, simple beauty, cozy routines, and everyday essentials that quietly make life feel better.
A reset you can actually live with
I still eat pasta.
I still skip workouts.
I still drink iced coffee even when it’s cold.
This isn’t about perfection — it’s about momentum.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the best changes don’t come from extremes. They come from small choices made often.
Here’s to a year that feels a little lighter, a little calmer, and a lot more like ourselves again.
— Julia
Curated by JLS 
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