A Gentle New Year Work Refresh
There’s a lot of pressure at the start of a new year to hit the ground running — new goals, new plans, big energy.
But work doesn’t suddenly reset just because the calendar changes.
For me, the new year isn’t about jumping straight back into full productivity mode. It’s about creating a bit of breathing space first. A gentle reset that helps me ease back into work feeling clearer and more focused, rather than instantly overwhelmed.
I’ve learned that a small amount of intentional tidying can make a huge difference before the proper routine kicks in.
A calm reset before you dive back in
Before I get fully back into work, I like to spend a little time doing some light maintenance. Nothing drastic. Nothing that needs a full plan or a big burst of motivation. Just enough to feel organised, grounded, and ready to begin again.
Here are a few of the things I usually focus on.
1. Tidy your desk
Clear the surface. Wipe it down. Put things back where they belong.
A calm, uncluttered desk makes it much easier to think clearly and settle into work. It’s amazing how much mental space you gain from simply not having visual noise in front of you.
2. Clear your digital workspace
Open your laptop without a sea of tabs staring back at you.
Clear out your downloads folder. Empty the recycle bin. Restart your computer — something most of us forget to do regularly, but which genuinely helps. It flushes memory, installs updates, resets background processes, and can even help with performance and overheating.
It’s a small reset that often makes your tech feel noticeably lighter.
3. Start a fresh notebook
There’s something quietly motivating about a new notebook.
Not for big goals or rigid plans — just a place to capture thoughts, ideas, to-dos and half-formed ideas as they pop up again. I use bullet journalling with one notebook for everything. It naturally encourages reflection on the past year and makes starting a new one feel intentional rather than pressured.
4. Tidy your inbox (without aiming for zero)
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about removing noise.
Unsubscribe from emails you never read. Archive what doesn’t need your attention right now. Make space for the messages that actually matter.
If you’re anything like me, January often brings a flood of sales emails that no longer feel relevant — they’re an easy place to start.
If you want a bit more structure here, I’ve written about my Do, Delegate or Delete approach to inbox management:
👉 Email Overload? Try the Do, Delegate or Delete Method
5. Review what’s coming up
Take a gentle look at what’s ahead — upcoming projects, client work, or commitments.
You’re not planning everything or setting targets. You’re simply reminding your brain what’s coming so it doesn’t feel like it’s being ambushed when work fully resumes.
6. Make one small decision that future-you will thank you for
This could be:
Renaming a messy folder
Creating a simple template
Tidying up a system you use every day
Small changes add up, especially when they remove friction from your daily work.
If you need ideas, I’ve shared a big list here:
👉 100 Digital Things That Can Be Decluttered
A softer way to start the year
This isn’t about reinventing your business or setting unrealistic expectations.
It’s about easing yourself back in, creating a sense of order, and giving your brain a little space to think again.
Once that’s in place, motivation tends to follow naturally.
So if you’re feeling a pull to “start fresh” this January, maybe it doesn’t need to be loud or dramatic. Maybe it can be calm, intentional, and quietly supportive of the work you already do.
