January isn’t a month where I naturally make big changes. I rarely feel the kind of energy that lends itself to dramatic resets or ambitious plans. Instead, I tend to experiment. I notice what helps. I pay attention to small things that make the days feel a little more manageable.

This month, it wasn’t one big practice that made a difference. It was a few very ordinary ones.

The first was taking two minutes before opening my laptop in the morning.
Not meditating. Not doing anything particularly mindful. Just sitting there, feeling my feet on the floor, letting my breath settle before the day began. I was surprised by how much those two minutes changed the tone of my mornings. Everything felt a little less rushed afterwards.

The second was stretching while the kettle boiled.
A few slow rolls through my shoulders. A gentle movement of my spine. Nothing planned, nothing formal. It reminded me that my body doesn’t need a full session to feel better. Small amounts of movement, done regularly, actually matter.

The third was staying in my body during conversations.
Feeling my breath. Noticing the weight of my seat. Catching myself when my attention drifted into planning or problem-solving. This one took more effort, but it also gave a lot back. Conversations felt warmer and clearer, and I noticed I had more energy afterwards instead of less.

None of these practices are impressive. That’s part of why they work. They’re easy to return to. They fit into real life. Especially in this grey stretch of winter, they help me come back to myself without adding another thing to manage.

Maybe one of them could be enough for you, too.