Adding, Not Subtracting: How We Welcome a New Year
Welcome back to Coffee & Conversation, where we answer your questions and chat about life behind the scenes at Front Porch Life and The Southern Lady Cooks. This little corner of the website is exactly what it sounds like — a place to slow down, pour a cup of coffee, and talk about real life, just as we would if you were sitting on the porch with us. This time of year, one of the questions we see come up again and again is:
Do you do New Year’s resolutions?
Truthfully? We’ve never been big on taking things away. I just don’t think you stick with it when you try to change every bad habit you have at once. It’s simply not the approach that works for me. I know it works for some…but it’s not my style.
What has felt right is adding good things in. 😉
Instead of asking, “What do I need to stop?” I like to think about …. “What could make life a little sweeter, a little calmer, a little more meaningful?”
Adding, Not Subtracting
Over the years, we’ve learned that small additions often create the most significant shifts. This could mean something as simple as “I’m going to add in writing a gratitude list each day with my morning coffee.” Or maybe instead of saying “I have to get 10,000 steps in every day.” Maybe try…. “I’m going to try and call a different family member or friend every day to check in, and when we talk...I’ll walk!”
Another thing I like to do is to break it down by months or quarters. So basically, try adding something for 30 days or a quarter, then add in something else. This way, you’re adding in several things every year that brighten your days, make your life simpler or more enjoyable, but not at the same time. One becomes a habit FIRST…then the next month or quarter, build on it! Add something else.
Creating a New Ritual or Tradition
The beginning of a year is a beautiful time to start a new tradition or ritual! This year, I plan to start a little super club with my friends. I don’t know what it looks like yet, but I want to entertain more in 2026, and this will be a great way to do it. I m still working out the details, but I’m thinking every other month to host a supper that is themed. Should I share my menus with you? If you want to see what I’m serving and planning, sound off in the comments below. Let’s be honest, I can get so busy that it’s easy to stay in my own little bubble and do the same things day in and day out. This is a way to combat that and be more social. So let’s see how this works for me! I’ll try to keep you updated.
I also want to do an open house on Christmas Eve this year. This will be a fun thing for people who might not have their own traditions for the night before Christmas. I never had children, and neither did Anne, so the holidays can be a bit different when you have a very small family. Can you relate? Maybe your kids are grown and Christmas Eve is different for you, too? I think this is a great way for me to include my friends who might be in the same boat. We can share appetizers and catch up. I have always wanted to create a few new traditions around the holidays, and I think this will be a great way to do it. I’m definitely ADDING that in this year.
Remember, rituals or traditions don’t have to be grand. It could be something as simple as:
- A walk through a different neighborhood or park every Sunday morning
- A monthly dinner you look forward to
- A first snow breakfast (these cinnamon rolls would be perfect!)
- Visiting the Farmers’ Market this summer
- Read a book a week or a month
Traditions don’t have to be grand to be meaningful. We have a friend who goes out for pizza with his wife every Friday night. They try different pizza places and it’s just set in stone that on Friday night…they are out dining on pizza. I love that! It’s a ritual they added in years ago and have kept it going. Sometimes these little events are just small anchors that help us move through our days/weeks/years with intention.
So as we enter 2026….try to think of adding great stuff into your life, not taking things away. It’s the good stuff we bring in that builds happiness. So now we’d love to hear from you.
What’s Your Plan for the New Year?
Tell us in the comments below.
Oh, and if you’re craving more or a slow pace this year….a Front Porch Life membership might be something to add to your year. Each issue is designed to feel like a quiet visit from a friend….filled with heartfelt stories, beautiful homes, recipes worth sharing, and reflections that encourage a slower, more intentional way of living. It’s not about keeping up.
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