A New Year Doesn’t Need New Things. It Needs Meaning.

Happy New Year y’all!!! 

2026 is here, and many of us are setting goals, or as I like to call them, intentions, for how we want to move through the year. "New year, new everything" right? We start rummaging through our homes and lives, decluttering the things that no longer serve us or fit into our next phase. I like to begin this process in the fourth quarter so that I can truly start anew in January.

But as I've gotten older, I've tried to move away from the idea of "new year, new everything". Really think about it, does donating or tossing everything only to buy more and repeat the same cycle next year really serve us? Do we actually need new? Or do we need to understand what we truly need? Every new year doesn't need new things. But every new year does need meaning. 

Our homes are our refuge. They should reflect our lived experiences, our inspirations for now and our hopes for the future. They should reflect our personalities and what matters to us most. Getting there is deeper than just decluttering. It starts with asking yourself some real questions: who are you? what brings you joy? what makes you feel beautiful or confident? These weren't easy for me, but they do matter. 

When I was wardrobe styling, one questions I always asked my clients was: Do you LOVE it? Does it give you that deep feeling of warmth and joy? Look back at hold photos of your and your home, the ones where you felt amazing. What were you doing? What were you thinking? What where you wearing? When you start paying attention, you'll begin to notice the colors, textures, moods, places and silhouettes you're drawn to. That's your starting point. Keep those on repeat. Make note of what enters your life. Pay attention to what's missing. Warm homes and great wardrobes aren't rushed. They are built slowly, with intention.

So, enter this new year by editing, not accumulating. Choose pieces that support the life you're actually living and the one you want to live. Choose things that speak to you. Thrifted, handmade, vintage, new. Expensive or affordable (or both because I love a good high-low moment).

Let's release the pressure of "new year, new everything" and start living with intention.