Renewal Without the Reset

January renewal does not have to be dramatic. It does not have to mean starting over, fixing yourself, or pushing for change.

Sometimes renewal is simply clearing the air and making space for the days ahead.

This is one of my favourite January practices because it asks very little and gives something back almost immediately. No extra meals. No planning. Just a small shift in how a room feels.

A Simple January Simmer Pot

You’ll need:

• 4 cups water, preferably filtered

• 2 whole cinnamon sticks

• 1 orange, thinly sliced

• 1 lemon, thinly sliced

• 1 teaspoon whole cloves, optional

Add everything to a small pot or saucepan. Bring it just to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat and let it warm the air slowly. Add more water as needed so it doesn’t boil dry.

Let it work quietly in the background while you go about your day.

A Bit of Seasonal Context

Before more modern fragrances and air fresheners, simmer pots were a practical winter habit. When windows stayed closed and homes were lived in more closely, people relied on citrus peels, spices, and herbs to freshen the air and lift the space.

Bright ingredients mattered in winter. They helped homes feel clearer and lighter at a time of year that could otherwise feel heavy or stale. This kind of renewal was about atmosphere, not aesthetics.

The Sensory Shift

The citrus brightens the space quickly. Cinnamon adds warmth without sweetness. Cloves, if used, stay subtle and grounding.

The result is clean and steady, a way to make the house feel awake again without adding noise or effort.

A Line to Sit With

“The small noticing becomes a kind of prayer, a way of saying, I am here.” Rosie Steer, Slow Seasons

If January asks anything of us, it’s simply to notice where we are and tend the space around us with care. Sometimes renewal really is this simple.

With warmth and wonder,

Jenn