Start Where You Are: A Gentler Way to Begin the Year
Start Where You Are: A Gentler Way to Begin the Year
Anchored Insights
January often comes with expectations.
New goals. Fresh starts. Big plans.
For many parents, professionals, and neurodivergent individuals, this time of year can feel less energizing and more overwhelming. The pressure to reset everything at once can quietly activate stress, shame, or a sense of already falling behind.
If that sounds familiar, this is your reminder:
You do not need a perfect plan to begin.
Awareness Before Action
In a culture that values productivity and quick fixes, pausing can feel counterintuitive. Yet awareness is often the most supportive first step, especially when executive function is already stretched by stress, fatigue, or competing demands.
Before asking, What should I change?
It can be helpful to ask, What do I notice?
What feels steady right now?
What routines or relationships are already supporting you?
Where does life feel heavy or rushed?
This kind of noticing is not passive. It is foundational. When we skip awareness and move straight into action, we often rely on willpower alone. And willpower is not a reliable strategy for busy brains.
Why “Starting Where You Are” Matters for Executive Function
Executive function skills like planning, organization, emotional regulation, and follow-through do not operate in isolation. They are deeply influenced by sleep, stress, emotional load, and the environment around us.
When expectations are high and support is low, even simple tasks can feel impossible. This is true for children, teens, and adults alike.
Starting where you are means:
Adjusting expectations to match capacity
Reducing pressure before adding structure
Prioritizing regulation and connection before compliance or productivity
This approach is especially important for families raising complex or neurodiverse kids, where traditional parenting advice often falls short.
Grounded, Not Rushed
Rather than asking yourself or your family to do more this January, consider what it would look like to feel more grounded.
Grounded might mean:
Fewer goals, not more
One small shift instead of a full reset
More support and less self-criticism
Anchoring into what already works
Progress does not require urgency. Sustainable change rarely comes from pressure.
A Gentle Reflection
As you move into the year, take a moment to reflect:
Where can I allow myself to start without pressure?
What would support look like right now?
What is one area where awareness alone might be enough for today?
There is no timeline for getting this right.
You are allowed to begin exactly where you are.
Looking Ahead
Throughout January, I will be sharing reflections and practical strategies around executive function, parenting, and creating calm and connection at home.
If you are looking for additional support, I am also hosting a parent webinar later this month:
Anchor Your Year: A Taste of Sanity School®
Executive Function and Parenting Strategies
This session introduces a research-informed, compassion-centered approach to parenting complex and neurodiverse kids, with practical tools you can use right away.
For now, take a breath.
Anchoring comes before action.
