Let January Be a Portal to Your Dream Life

I love new chapters. And what newer one than the new year itself?

We’re entering a portal. There’s a lot to leave behind (if we choose to) and a lot to welcome as we step into the first month of the new year.

Even if you don’t set specific goals or have a whole ritual for planning your year, you can still set an intention.

So, what will it be?

Why Portals Matter More Than Goals

Goals feel rigid. Portals invite movement. You step through them, not chase them.

So if goal setting has felt like pressure, it might be time to change your approach.

Do things in a simpler and softer way.

Maybe you can pick a word for the year. A theme for 2026. Or one aspect of life to improve, and then do one thing a month to make it better.

Portals carry a specific energy, and you set the tone.

No need to bring fear, doubt or anxiety to the equation. You can instead welcome any opportunity that makes your life better.

It can be that simple.

Set a tone for the new year, decide how you want to feel, and do what aligns with that.

Letting Go of Last Year

We can’t move forward without letting go of what’s happened in the previous year. That stuck energy has no place in 2026. What will you do with it?

I like releasing things that no longer serve me. That could be goals, projects, business ideas, platforms to create content on, people, expectations, bad habits, etc.

And if the whole letting go process overwhelms you, here’s another way to look at it.

No long reflections. Just naming what no longer fits.

Energy, habits, identities.

The Version of You on the Other Side

You are always becoming the next version of yourself, so you might as well do it consciously.

Think about this:

Who you are becoming?
How do your days look?
How does your life feel?
What can you do today to feel like this?

In the past, I used to go all in on analyzing the last 12 months and planning the new year + creating my vision for it. It worked well, but as we change, the way we do things can change too.

Now, I’m way more chill about it. I’m still a personal growth fanatic, I just do what feels good, not what’s overwhelming or what others seem to be doing.

That approach gives you a lot of freedom. Do this in December if you feel like, or in March. There aren’t any rules here, you create them for yourself.

But one thing is sure – manifesting your dream life requires you to start feeling, thinking and acting like the version of you who lives that life.

What that looks like is up to you. Changing direction is fine too (my vision evolves quite often and I’ve made peace with that, I don’t resist it. Otherwise, I limit my own potential).

Small January Choices That Open Big Doors

If you’re ready for action, it can look like this:

Subtle shifts in behavior – it could be the way you talk to others, how you show love to yourself, how your mornings go, what triggers you, how you’re people-pleasing in little ways, etc. Change one of these for now, slowly but steadily.
Micro confidence – get your power back, in whatever way necessary.
Trusting your timing – if there’s resistance, it might not be the right time yet. So take a step back, re-evaluate the situation, and be kind to yourself.

This January, decide: