Getting Back to It – One Week Down of 2026

Let’s talk about the art of not being judgemental, but also holding ourselves accountable...

Be honest, babe - January doesn’t magically turn us into productivity machines or bronzed Adonises. It’s the turn of a page, not the performance of a miracle. Maybe you’re the opposite and you’ve already repointed the roof and started your A-level in quantum physics... And for that, I salute you.

But rain it in, the mince pies have barely settled.

If you’ve stared at your to-do list this week feeling a bit foggy, you’re not alone. If the house plants are looking a bit neglected and the dust mites are starting to unionise - well, you’re in good company.

“New Year, New Me” energy? How about: New Year, Same me? But with a little zhuzh?

Here’s the thing: getting back into the swing of work (whatever that looks like to you) after the holidays isn’t about judging yourself for what you didn’t do over the break. Nor is it panicking at the lack of work currently on the table either. It’s about showing up, gently, and giving yourself permission to ease in - while still holding yourself accountable to your goals. Allowing yourself to have ambition for how this year will unfold, but without chastising yourself for the first seven days not going exactly as you'd decided they would...

Accountability doesn’t have to mean being harsh. Sometimes, in the vein of Heather Small, when all’s said and done, we just have to ask ourselves: what have I done today to make me feel proud? Because there is always something!

How about;

Pick one thing you’ll actually feel proud to finish today—then letting the rest wait their turn.

Celebrating the stuff you’d usually overlook (like clearing your unread emails , or just showing up on time.).

Checking in with yourself: are you moving towards what matters, or just ticking off tasks for the sake of it?

Being kind to yourself and being accountable aren’t opposites—they’re best friends. When you approach your goals with self-compassion, you’re far more likely to actually stick with them (and far less likely to burn out by week two).

So here’s your permission. Let go of the guilt, embrace a little structure, and remember that progress beats perfection every time. Whether you’re smashing through your list or just getting your bearings, you’re doing better than you think. Sometimes, the zhuzh is in the little things—turning up, trying again, or just watering the plants. So, as you ease back into your routines, take a moment to spot the thing you did today (or this week) that made you feel proud—even if it’s small.

That’s where the real transformation starts.