3 Things I’m Choosing Not To Do This Year
Every new year comes with that familiar push to do more: more routines, more plans, more consistency. That push can come from ourselves—or from others (mostly strangers on the internet). All those little voices, each whispering what you have to do or must do to succeed in the new year, eventually blend into one loud scream. And that noise creates pressure.
So today, I’m focusing on what not to do this year. I’m naming a few things I don’t want to carry forward, making room for whatever comes my way. No pressure.
While I believe deeply in homemaking rhythms and daily routines, I’ve learned this over time: adding more is often what creates the very pressure we’re trying to escape. The problem usually isn’t a lack of effort or intention—it’s carrying systems, habits, and expectations that no longer fit our season of life.
This year, instead of asking what I want to add, I’m starting with a quieter question: What am I ready to stop doing?
Overly Planning Became Overrated (For Me)
For a long time, I believed more structure would automatically lead to more peace. But I’ve found the opposite can be true. Too many systems can make daily life feel complicated instead of calm.
This is why one of the first things I’m letting go of is overly planning.
Decorated planners, long task lists, and color-coded systems can be fun—and they absolutely have their place. But in this season of my life, they often pull my attention away from what actually matters. Long, unrealistic lists left me feeling behind before the week was even over. Now, I’m simplifying.
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A few clear priorities each day—three at the most. And one ongoing list without deadlines. By ongoing, I mean a list that isn’t tied to today or even this week. These are tasks that can move forward slowly, without pressure. I carry them with me from day to day, crossing one off when the moment is right.
This is exactly how I use my Neat To-Do List notepad. There’s a column with space for 21 tasks that don’t need to be completed in a single day. They’re not urgent, they’re not scheduled—they’re simply there. Some weeks, I stay on the same page for days at a time. Sometimes an entire week. And that’s okay.
The list moves with me, not the other way around. Less pressure, more presence—and more room for rest.
When Organization Becomes Overcomplicated
There was a season when binders, trackers, and printed systems worked beautifully for me. They helped me bring order to homemaking when I needed something tangible and visual. But that season has passed.
Over time, I noticed that the more lists and trackers I maintained, the more scattered I felt. Managing the system became a task in itself—one that required constant attention and upkeep.
That realization played a big role in my decision to close The Neat Living Shop. It wasn’t an easy choice. I loved that shop, and I believed deeply in what it offered for a long time. But I reached a point where I could no longer create, let alone sell, systems I wasn’t personally using anymore.
Whether we like it or feel hesitant to embrace it, artificial intelligence is already shaping the way we move through our days. And instead of resisting that shift, I’ve been slowly learning how to let it support my routines in quieter, more practical ways.
- I’ve transitioned my planning into Motion (synched with my Google Calendar), which helps me see what truly needs my attention without constant manual input.
Side Note: If you’d like to try Motion, send me message and I will send you a private invitation for a 2-week free trial.
2. In the kitchen, I use Alexa+ on my Echo Show 8, to help me find and make recipes in real time—no books, no notes, no stopping to read or scroll. I can cook with my hands busy and my mind focused.
3. And with my Echo Show, I can glance at my must-dos without opening a planner or flipping a page.
Because of this, I’ve stepped away from binders and paper-heavy organizing tools and leaned into simpler digital systems that quietly support daily life—calendars, reminders, shared lists, and basic tracking that doesn’t demand upkeep.
Homemaking doesn’t need to be documented to be effective. Sometimes, the most organized homes are the ones supported by the fewest systems.
Creating Homemaking Routines That Support Your Life
Homemaking has a way of expanding. I know this firsthand, after spending the last 11 years documenting my homemaking and routines journey on my blog. A small task turns into a full reset. A simple routine quietly grows into something that feels heavy to manage.
One of the most important boundaries I’m setting this year is this: homemaking will no longer come before my health.
I love tending to my home. But I’ve noticed how easily a small task—like putting groceries away—can turn into hours of cleaning, organizing, and rearranging. And while the house (and this blog) benefits, my body doesn’t always.
This year, movement comes first. Before laundry, before cleaning, before resets. Ten minutes, a short walk or a light workout. The house can wait.
Homemaking routines are meant to support your life—not compete with it. When routines are ordered correctly, they become steadier, more sustainable, and far less draining.
A Quiet Way to Shape the Year Without Pressure
If setting goals feels heavy this year, consider starting somewhere else. Instead of asking what you need to add, ask what you’re ready to release.
- Maybe it’s over-planning.
- Maybe it’s maintaining systems that no longer fit.
- Maybe it’s putting everything—and everyone—ahead of your own well-being.
You don’t need a full reset to begin again. Often, clarity comes from subtraction.
This quieter approach to homemaking—one rooted in rhythm, discernment, and realistic routines—is something I explore weekly in The Quiet Reset. It’s a space for thoughtful reflection on home, habits, and everyday life—without pressure to optimize or overhaul everything at once.
If you’re craving a steadier, more grounded way to move through the year, I’d love for you to join us.