Gentle January: A 28 Day Gratitude Activation

Hello!

Merry Twixtmas!

How are you coping?!

I have to admit, I’m missing working. Is that bad? I don’t know. I’m struggling with the lack of structure and routine, but maybe that’s just how my brain works. So I got up today (Monday… I think?) at 6 and headed to the pool for a swim, steam and ice bath and to do a bit of work in the co-work space just because I need to do something other than binge watch TV shows while eating my own bodyweight in shortbread.

As routines go, I try to send out my newsletter on the last Friday of the month, which I guess would have been last Friday (Boxing Day) Sorry not sorry!

Instead, I’m here today, inviting you to join Gentle January, my 28 Day Gratitude Challenge. 

First thing: this is a mixed group programme, open to all, yay! (I’ve had a couple of men asking about retreats and whatnot, which have been women only, so its lovely to offer something more inclusive). 

Second thing: although this may sound a bit ‘woo’, its actually grounded in neuro-science. 

Our brains change through repetition. What we repeatedly pay attention to, think about, and emotionally engage with strengthens neural pathways over time. During these 28 days, we’re deliberately repeating one thing: an attitude of gratitude.

There are 28 different practices, but each one trains your attention towards what’s already supportive, nourishing, and meaningful in your life.

So what exactly is it, and why would you want to do it?

The programme includes:

• 28 daily practices, emailed to you the night before

• 5 live group Zoom calls (1 hour each) for checking in and accountability

• 4 weekly themes:

  • General Gratitude

  • Body & Health

  • Work & Money

  • Relationships

• A mix of guided meditations, reflections and downloadable resources

I’m unashamedly borrowing ideas from strengths-based, solution focused therapy to enable us to start 2026 feeling positive, abundant and enough. 

What I mean by that is, when we focus heavily on resolutions and goals, we can accidentally reinforce the idea that we’re not good enough yet. That subtle message keeps us in a mindset of lack- comparing ourselves, pushing harder, and feeling like we need to fix or improve ourselves before we’re allowed to feel okay.

Gentle January is the opposite of this. We’re going to start the year literally counting our blessings. Identifying our strengths. Patting ourselves on the back for all the effort we have made- and actually allowing ourselves to feel good about our lives. 

This alone feels radical, right? No resolutions? No goals?! Simply being thankful for our beautiful lives?!

And the amazing thing is- change will still happen!

Because what we consistently focus on shapes how we experience our lives. Attention influences perception, emotion, and behaviour. Over time, it genuinely rewires how we relate to ourselves and the world around us.

THIS is how I want to start my New Year. How about you?