7 Things The Longest January Reaffirmed for Me

January was long y’all, but it was full of lessons. Some were reminders, some were fresh revelations, and all of them have me stepping into February with even more clarity and intention. Here are 7 things that stood out:

1. Get Quiet to Get Clear

Sis, sometimes you gotta log off and shut it all down to hear yourself think. I took some much-needed time offline this month and lightened my schedule where I could. That quiet time? It gave me so much clarity—on life, business, and what truly matters. The vision gets clearer when the noise is gone.

2. Purpose-Driven Work Matters

I had a moment a year or so ago, where I felt like my blog wasn’t hitting. Like, was I just talking to myself? Then I realized—my comments were OFF a few months ago (facepalm). But beyond that, this month showed me that just because something takes time doesn’t mean it’s not working. A woman DM’d me saying she followed my New York itinerary exactly, booked the same hotel, and hit many of my recs. She thanked me for saving her time and effort. She had NO idea how much her message filled my cup. So if you’re feeling stuck, keep going. The impact is happening, even if you can’t always see it.

3. There Is Power in Refining and Refocusing

Just because we’ve always done something a certain way doesn’t mean we have to keep doing it. Growth requires adjustment. One small example? I updated my Instagram bio at the start of the year to better reflect the season I’m in and what my content is about. Your message, your work, and your life evolve—allow it to.

4. Your Decisions Should Match Your Desires

I had to check myself. Was I really making choices that aligned with what I said I wanted? And listen, it doesn’t have to be perfect, but it does have to be intentional. I had some lingering health issues (one of which I knew was tied to my diet), yet I wasn’t making real changes. This month, I did 21 days with no meat—for the first time in my life. Now, I’m NOT turning vegan, BUT I learned that my body responds better to certain things, and now I’m making more mindful choices. So I’m continuing to assess my decisions versus my desires, in all aspects. Whatever your ‘it’ is—stop just talking about it. Be about it.

5. Make Room for the Small Joys

Our big January snowstorm reminded me how fast time is flying. Tyler was out here launching snowballs at me like he had a personal vendetta 😂, and Skyler just wanted to to build a snowman. Seeing their joy was a reminder: slow down. Be present. These little everyday moments matter the most.

6. Check Your Consumption Choices

January felt like the longest year ever, and I had to be mindful of what I was letting into my space—mentally, emotionally, and physically. I unfollowed and muted a few accounts, limited my news intake, and made an intentional choice to protect my peace (as much as I could). The world is heavy enough right now. Be mindful of what you consume.

7. Go to God, First

This month, I made it a priority to stay in my Word, pray more, and consult God on everything. And let me tell you—while it didn’t make life magically easier, it did give me more peace and clarity to handle whatever came my way. When in doubt, go to God first. Always.

These lessons set the tone for my year, and I hope something here speaks to you, too. What’s one thing January taught or reaffirmed for you? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!

Keep glowing,

Shalyce