7 min read
January Is Not the Enemy, It's the Reset We Need
The Debby Digest | January 6, 2026
Phew! ... Let's talk, abeg.
What a Christmas holiday, am I right?
If you were anything like me during the break, chances are you enjoyed yourself.
You ate well. You laughed loudly. You saw people you hadn't seen since "long time no see" became an annual tradition.
And yes, you took dettying your December very personal.
Abi? Inserts side eye.
One minute you were saying, "I'll just step out small." Next thing you know, it's 3 a.m., your phone battery is on 7%, and your account balance is looking at you like, "So you've chosen vibes over planning."
But honestly? It was worth it.
Now... Reality Has Knocked. Politely, But Firmly.
And now, I regret to officially announce that the holidays are over.
The decorations are coming down. The traffic has resumed. Emails are loading again. And life has returned to its regularly scheduled programming.
But before anything else, let's clap for ourselves.
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
We made it. Welcome to 2026.
That alone deserves acknowledgment because last year wasn't beans.
The Thoughts We're All Thinking (But Pretending We're Not)
Now that the excitement has settled, let's address the elephant in the room or should I say, the thoughts running wild in our heads:
- How do I actually meet my 2026 goals this time?
- How do I financially recover from the Christmas shopping and "small enjoyment" I just finished?
- How do I dodge billing for the next five weeks of January? God abeg, this request is special. 😭
- What is my next step... like, realistically?
If any of these questions hit a little too close to home, please know you are not alone.
We are many. We are tired. But we are hopeful.
January Is Not the Enemy (Even Though It Feels Like One)
January has a bad reputation, but truthfully, it's not the villain.
January is just... honest.
It shows you the consequences of December. It reminds you of your habits. It exposes where planning was missing and where intention was lacking.
And yes, it can feel long. Very long. Like five Mondays stitched together.
But January also offers something powerful - a clean slate.
No noise. No pressure to "show up" socially. Just space to reset, reflect, and decide how this year will truly go.
So, What Now?
This is the part where we breathe.
You don't need to have the entire year figured out by January 2nd.
You don't need to solve all your money problems in one week.
And you definitely don't need to compare your beginning to someone else's highlight reel.
What you do need is clarity. A realistic plan. And grace for yourself.
Ask yourself:
- What worked last year?
- What didn't?
- What do I want to do differently this time?
Small, intentional steps beat loud resolutions every time.
Here's the Gentle Truth
2026 doesn't need a dramatic entrance. It just needs consistency.
This year is not about perfection. It's about progress. About learning. About adjusting. About choosing better, even when it's not loud.
So if you're feeling hopeful but unsure, motivated but tired, excited but cautious, you're exactly where you're supposed to be.
Take it one day at a time. We'll figure it out together.
Happy New Year. ✨