The Gentle Return
That familiar Sunday-night feeling… and a softer way to step into what’s next.
Hey there—
Tonight, I can feel it. A little dread hanging over me as I think about all that starts up again tomorrow.
The alarms. The lunches. The meetings. The school bags. The mental tabs reopening one by one.
It’s not dramatic. Just that familiar mix of overwhelm and wishing for more time. One more slow morning. One more day where nothing needs me at full speed.
And then January shows up with its megaphone. New year. New you. Big goals. Big energy.
But most of us aren’t a clean slate in January.
We’re a re-entry.
Resolutions vs. Intentions
Resolutions tend to feel like pressure. Rigid. Binary. Pass or fail.
Intentions feel more like relationship. They ask:
What do I need? What matters? What supports me right now?
A resolution says: Fix it. Do more. Be better.
An intention says: Notice. Choose. Return.
And in midlife, especially in motherhood, returning is often the point.
A softer way to settle back in
If you’re feeling behind already, you’re not. You’re just human.
Instead of rebuilding your whole life this week, pick one anchor. One small thing that makes you feel like you again.
Not impressive. Not aesthetic. Just steady.
Intern Move of the Week (2 minutes)
Choose one routine to return to for the next 7 days.
A few ideas:
10 minutes outside each morning, even if it’s cold
One “close the loop” moment at night. Tidy the counter, set out what you need, turn the lights down
Protein and water before coffee. A tiny kindness to your nervous system
A 15-minute reset walk after work
One page of a book before bed instead of your phone
Your only job this week is to practice the return. Gently. Imperfectly. On purpose.
Because you don’t need a new you.
You might just need a softer way back into your life.
See you next Sunday,
Danielle