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What Small Thing Feels

Extra Good?

by Maria Gracia Published on February 1, 2026 Discover which simple, comforting moments brought GON readers a sense of calm, clarity, and quiet joy in January…and read the thoughtful reflections that show why small things matter so much this time of year Join our newsletter to be notified when new content is added to our website. The Small Comforts That Define January When we asked GON readers what small thing feels extra good in January, the responses reflected a quieter, more reflective month. January doesn’t demand attention the way December does. Instead, it offers calm moments that feel grounding, restorative, and full of quiet promise. The top response, with 30% of the vote, was getting back into a gentle routine. After the busyness of the holidays, readers welcomed familiar rhythms, like steady mornings, predictable evenings, and routines that support both productivity and rest. January, it seems, is less about big changes and more about easing back into what works. Next was stowing away the holiday décor (18%). While many readers deeply enjoy decorating for Christmas, January marked a natural shift. Packing everything away wasn’t about letting go of the season too quickly, but about creating space for the months ahead. Several readers described this process as intentional and even satisfying…organizing by room, fixing items, removing batteries, and preparing everything to be ready for next year. Dreaming of spring (11%) and Other (11%) rounded out the next group of responses, highlighting January’s in-between nature. Readers mentioned longer days, clearer winter light, and the quiet optimism that comes from looking ahead while still honoring the present. Comfort and rest also played key roles. Cooking something warm and simple (10%) offered nourishment without fuss, while starting a new book (8%) and clearing off one surface (7%) showed how small, manageable actions can bring relief. Catching up on sleep (5%) reminded us that rest itself is a form of self-care in January. Together, these responses paint January as a month of permission…permission to slow down, reset, and begin again in small, thoughtful ways. Below, you’ll find the full results and reader comments that beautifully capture why January’s simplest moments often feel the best. Poll Results 30% Getting back into a gentle routine 18% Stowing away the holiday decor 11% Dreaming of spring 11% Other 10% Cooking something warm and simple 8% Starting a new book 7% Clearing off one surface 5% Catching up on sleep Personal GON Reader Comments • Making lists to help me organize things that need to get done! • Thinking about what the new year may bring • Doing a jigsaw puzzle • Enjoying the slower pace at home. The cold weather lets me focus on indoor tasks. • Coming in from the freezing, snowing outside • Starting off the New Year with a clean refrigerator • Curling up under a warm blanket • Hanging a brand new Thomas Kinkade calendar • Starting a new planner, and seeing your year start to take shape, while clearing your head of all the things • Booking a vacation for late winter or early spring • Stowing away the holiday decor; I love all the decorations at Christmas, but by January I’m ready to clear everything out • Getting back to “clean” eating! • The clear winter light and the slowly lengthening days • Filling out my new planner with birthdays, appointments, vacation dates, and anything I know is happening in the new year • Beginning my Frozen Feet walk challenge of 6 weeks minimum, 1 mile a day, outside. 3rd year and even completed the first year with Covid fever. I swear exercise plus fresh air helped speed recovery. Plus, noticed improved spirits in winter doldrums • Focusing on all the things that I want to accomplish this year! • Starting a whole new calendar for the year • The (at least temporary) absence of deadlines. “It can wait” is my mantra for now! • The feeling of freshness and a clear, clean “slate” for the new year • Surveying the clean slate of a new year ahead. Enjoying the calm before the storm. Re-creation of oneself • Starting to set aside items for our Annual Neighborhood Rummage Sale in the spring • Clearing away the holiday decor and getting back into routines, new and improved ones preferably • Enjoying the peace and fresh start of a new year after the hectic month of December • I love my holiday decor, and really do a lot. But when I store it away I really take my time. I box up by room, fix anything that needs fixing, remove all the batteries, and figure out how to get it all in the box like a Tetris game. It really makes me feel accomplished, and I know that next December everything will be in good shape to go right out on display after putting the batteries back in! • Snow days—when going anywhere is beyond your control. To instead enjoy indoor coziness and comforts from the unexpected “free” days! • Opening a brand new calendar and entering birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. Ruminating over potential vacation dates. All this makes me anticipate good times coming and makes me hopeful that the year to come will be good to us! • January to me is a time to start over. Whether it be with a resolution or a time to just look back over the past year to see what worked and what I can change for improvements Back to Web Poll Results Index