The first Sunday of January holds a special kind of energy, a quiet moment of possibility before routines pick up again, a space where reflection and hope naturally meet. For those of us navigating autoimmune disease, this time of year can feel like a gentle invitation to realign with what we need most: clarity, nourishment, and a deeper connection to our own bodies.
Instead of rushing into resolutions or high-pressure goals, I invite you to begin this year with intention, a grounded, compassionate approach that supports sustainable healing. AIP is not just a dietary protocol; it’s a lifestyle rooted in understanding your body, reducing inflammation, and supporting your system day by day. And the clearer your path, the more supported your journey will feel.
Here are a few reflective practices to help you start 2026 with focus and purpose:
1. Reflect on What Supported You Last Year
Before choosing where you want to go, take a moment to acknowledge what worked for you in the past year.
Ask yourself:
- What habits helped me feel better?
- What drained my energy?
- What routines or rhythms made healing feel easier?
- What do I want more of in 2026?
These answers become your compass, a personalized roadmap toward a more stable, nourished year.
I like to start my year with a new crisp notebook or planner. If you're like me a enjoy the good old pen and paper, I'd recommend starting this year's planner by journaling the answers to these questions.
2. Set a Feeling, Not a Resolution
Traditional resolutions often fade by February because they’re built on pressure. Feelings, however, guide intention, and intention guides choices that stick.
What do you want 2026 to feel like?
- Energized
- Peaceful
- Nourished
- Connected
- Strong
Choose one or two feelings that speak to you, and let them influence how you structure your days, your meals, your movement, and your boundaries.
3. Choose One Supportive Habit to Carry Forward
Instead of reinventing everything at once, focus on one habit that will make the most significant difference in your healing.
A few grounding examples:
- A consistent morning routine
- An evening wind-down to protect your sleep
- A weekly movement plan
- Journaling to track symptoms, progress, and gratitude
- Stocking your fridge or freezer with healing meals to avoid decision fatigue
The goal is not perfection, it’s creating a stable foundation your body can trust.
4. Give Yourself Permission to Ease Into January
You don’t have to enter the year at full speed. A gentle beginning allows your nervous system to settle and your routines to become sustainable.
Easing in might look like:
- Making simpler meals
- Protecting early bedtimes
- Taking a few days to re-organize your kitchen or meal plan
- Choosing low-intensity movement while your body recalibrates
Healing happens when your body feels safe, not rushed.
As we step into 2026, my wish for you is a year filled with clarity, nourishment, and connection. May you feel supported in the moments that matter and empowered in the choices that move you forward.
Start the Year With Community Support — Join Us at the AIP Summit!
Healing is easier when you don’t do it alone.
This January, join us at the AIP Summit, where AIP Certified Coaches and individuals living with autoimmune disease come together to share tools, stories, and lived experience.
You’ll learn from people who have walked this path, the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the strategies that helped them reclaim their health.
Here’s what I’ll be hosting at the summit:
Monday, January 5th at 12 PM PST: I’ll be joining Executive Chef Kristina Evans for an AIP cooking demo featuring creative ways to stretch your budget while maximizing nutrient density and meals that are both healing and practical.
Tuesday, January 6th at 8 AM PST: I’ll be presenting a panel on how to take the stress off your plate during the dietary phase of AIP, so you can create space for the lifestyle pillars that matter just as much for long-term healing.
All sessions are live, and I would love to answer your questions, support you, and connect with you in real time.
Mark your calendar, this is your invitation to enter 2026 with education, empowerment, and community by your side.