My 6 Part January Detox
November and December are some of my favorite months. The days are shorter, it’s cold outside and cozy inside, everything slows down and there is just something in the air that is pure magic. It’s the season of travel, gift-buying, comfort food, slower days and long nights, which makes it easy to feel a little off. While it’s magical in its own way, by the time January rolls around, I’m usually ready for a reset. The last few January’s we have completed Dry January, which at the time feels hard, but in retrospect is one of our favorite times of the year. It’s quiet, less excitement, more reading, less socializing, quite boring really.
2024 was a whirlwind. From raising a newborn, moving across the country, closing on a house, and adjusting to a new life in Austin, Texas - routines went out the window. I feel like I have been treading water the whole year, but now, after six months of settling in, our baby is a little older, it feels like the perfect time to reset and refresh ahead of 2025.
The start of a new year is powerful. It brings hope, clarity, and a sense of possibility—a belief that we can become better versions of ourselves, fix all the mistakes we made last year, become the person you desire to be. It’s a chance to rebuild trust with yourself, especially if you’ve spent the last few months indulging. For me, January is about doing something challenging, something that feels like a clean slate.
This January, I’m diving into a full detox—physical, mental, spiritual, and habitual. Here’s my six-part plan:
Part One: Diet Reset
We generally eat clean, but we like to go out and setting clear goals will establish boundaries and make it feel more challenging. I can’t stand the thought of tracking, but generally I aim for 120-140g of protein per day. To make this feel more challenging, I’m cutting out sugar, alcohol, and restaurants entirely. The focus is on nourishing my body with whole foods cooked at home.
What:
Cutting out sugar, alcohol, and eating out.
Why:
To reduce inflammation
To live soberly and mindfully
To cut empty calories and support weight loss
To save money and lean in on home cooking
Part Two: Dopamine Detox
In our digital age, it’s easy to rely on social media and TV for quick hits of dopamine. For January, I’ll be taking a step back to give my brain a reset and reclaim my time. I think social media has a place and time, but for this month I want to rid of time wasting, dopamine boosting habits.
What:
Eliminating social media.
Why:
To reset my brain from instant gratification habits
To reclaim time for meaningful activities
To improve focus and mental clarity
Part Three: Physical Detox
To support my body’s natural detox pathways, I’ll be incorporating specific practices to help flush toxins and stay hydrated. I want to lean in on optimizing my detox pathways, which is discussed at length here.
What:
Incorporating detox baths 2x a week, castor oil packs overnight 2-3x a week, liver-supporting teas nightly, hydration including lemon waters, electrolytes and minerals, overall reducing my toxic load.
Why:
To support my body’s natural detox pathways and help build a better gut microbiome
To learn more about teas and other detoxifying routines
To create an intentional self-care routine
Part Four: A New Skill
January is a great time to start learning something new. This year, I’m focusing on gardening. My goal is to finalize my garden plan, prep the soil, and set up my compost by month’s end.
What:
Learning about vegetable and herb gardening, including planning, preparing soil, and setting up compost.
Why:
To grow my own fresh, healthy produce
To build a sustainable and rewarding hobby
To deepen my connection to nature and get outside with my daughter
Part Five: Spending Freeze
To reset our spending habits, we’re committing to a spending freeze. Aside from essentials (and gardening supplies), there will be no new clothes, gadgets, toys, or unnecessary purchases. The world and its structures make it so easy to over consume. I want to do my part to stop consuming more than needed.
What:
No non-essential spending, including eating out, new clothes, gadgets, or toys. Define “essentials” and stick to it, plus no eating out (helping with Part One!)
Why:
To reset my financial habits
To align spending with our long-term goals
Make the world a better place
Part Six: Spiritual Health
After a year of focusing on raising a newborn, it feels like the right time to reconnect with myself and a higher power. I’ll be returning to meditation, journaling, and breathwork to nurture my spiritual health.
What:
Returning to daily meditation, breathwork, and journaling to reconnect with myself and a higher power.
Why:
To center myself and reduce stress
To rebuild a sense of trust and identity outside of motherhood
To nurture my spiritual well-being and inner peace
This detox isn’t about perfection, nor is it meant to last forever. I know I’ll miss Instagram, a glass of wine, late night Amazon purchases, and the occasional cookie, but I can do anything for 31 days. This is about building trust with myself and creating a foundation for the year ahead.
I plan to track my progress with a daily log—just a few sentences about how I feel, what’s working, and what’s challenging. I’m excited to see what habits stick, which ones fall away, and how I feel at the end of this journey.
Wish me luck!