In this reflective piece, guest contributor Fatimah Shittu-Gbeko explores how small changes at home can support the person you’re becoming this year.
There’s a very specific kind of panic that comes with a new year. It usually hits right after ‘Detty December’ ends and real life taps you on the shoulder like, “Hey… I hope you enjoyed yourself. Now get serious.” Suddenly, it’s new beginnings, fresh goals, new hobbies (or old ones you swear you’ll be more consistent with this time). Vision boards are forming. Group chats are buzzing. Pressure is pressure-ing.
But before we spiral any further, let me ask a slightly uncomfortable—but very necessary — question: Is your space ready for your new year’s resolutions?
I know. Loaded. Let’s not overthink it. This is not about reinventing yourself overnight. What if the real reset isn’t about doing more, or chasing the never-lasting buzz of “new-year-new-me,” but more about adjusting the space we already live in? From decluttering to scent and texture, small, intentional shifts at home can quietly support the person you’re becoming.
This year and beyond, we are making small but consistent changes that count — the subtle shifts, the quiet upgrades that make your day feel just a bit more intentional (you know, after capitalism).
Your space should support the person you’re trying to become this year, not fight them. The easiest place to start is by paying attention to how your space speaks to your senses.
Sight: Declutter. Then declutter again
Yes, I said it twice on purpose.
Visual noise is real. Piles, random items, things you haven’t touched since 2019 — it all quietly drains your energy. Decluttering doesn’t mean throwing everything away. I’m huge on sustainability, so donate, gift, repurpose. Let things move on to people who actually need them.
Once you’ve cleared the excess, introduce intentional knickknacks — things that genuinely make you smile. A framed photo. A quirky mug on life support still serving joy (self shade, by the way). A ceramic bowl you love for no reason. A book you keep returning to. Your space should feel like a reflection of you, not a storage unit with good lighting.
Smell: Don’t underestimate it
Scent is memory. Scent is mood. Scent is therapy (sometimes cheaper than actual therapy).
One whiff can take you back to your childhood home, a holiday you’re still mentally living in, or a version of yourself that had less anxiety and more sleep.
A candle here. A linen spray there. Maybe a diffuser if that’s your thing. You don’t need your home smelling like a luxury hotel lobby—just clean, calm, and inviting. Find a scent that makes you feel grounded or motivated, depending on what this year is asking of you.
Sound: Curate the background of your life
Your space doesn’t have to be silent to be peaceful.
Soft music in the mornings. A podcast playing while you tidy up. Even the absence of noise when you require rest. Be intentional about what your space sounds like. It matters more than we think, especially if you’re working from home or spending more time indoors.
Touch: Texture changes everything
This is where comfort quietly does its work.
A soft throw blanket on the couch. Crisp bedsheets. Cushions you actually enjoy leaning into. Texture makes a space feel lived-in, not just styled. When your space feels good to touch, you’re more likely to slow down, rest properly, and show up better.
At the end of the day, your home doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs to support you.
Your goals for the year don’t exist in isolation; they live with you. They sit on your desk, your bed, your kitchen counter. So instead of pressuring yourself to become a “new person” overnight, start by adjusting the environment you already have.
Sometimes, getting your act together starts with lighting a candle, folding a blanket, and making room — literally—for the life you’re trying to build. And honestly? That’s a great place to begin.
