New Year’s Eve didn’t come in loud or chaotic this year, per usual for us. There was no rushing, no pressure to stay up for the sake of tradition, no packed plans demanding energy we didn’t have.
Instead, we eased into the last night of the year with snacks, basketball on the TV, and that familiar fight to keep our eyes open just long enough to say we did it. Midnight came and went softly. We barely made it, kissed right on time, then stood watching the neighbors celebrate in true fashion.
Fireworks lit the sky. A few firearms joined in. It’s Texas after all.
By 12:15, we were in bed, done for the night, perfectly content.
New Year’s Day: Slow Mornings and Comfort Traditions
We let ourselves sleep in on New Year’s Day, no alarms, no guilt. When we finally made it out of bed, the day stayed just as relaxed as the night before.
I cooked one of my favorite New Year traditions: black-eyed peas, cabbage, and cornbread. It’s a meal rooted in hope and symbolism, passed down through generations, especially in the South.
Black-eyed peas are believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Cabbage represents wealth, although it has yet to find us. Cornbread, with its golden color, symbolizes abundance and comfort.
Santiago decided to switch things up this year. Instead of the usual ham, he made baby back ribs. I don’t eat pork, so it was fine with me.
A Day of Rest (And UFOs)
After eating, we didn’t suddenly become productive or ambitious. We leaned into the laziness and stayed in bed most of the day, watching UFO documentaries and laughing at ourselves for how invested we were. By the way, there have been a lot of weird occurrences in Texas – just saying.
There was something grounding about letting the first day of the year be slow. No expectations. No lists. Just rest, curiosity, and being together.
Sometimes the best way to start fresh is to not rush at all.
New Year Superstitions and Why I Still Love Them
Even though the day was laid-back, I still made time for a few New Year rituals that feel meaningful to me.
I blew cinnamon at the front door, sprinkled salt on the doorsteps, opened a window, and burned sage and incense throughout the house.
Blowing cinnamon is believed to invite abundance and prosperity into the home for the year ahead. Cinnamon has long been associated with warmth, protection, and financial luck. Sprinkling salt is said to ward off negative energy and create a protective barrier. Opening a window releases the past year and allows the new one to enter your home. Sage and incense have been used for centuries to cleanse spaces, remove stagnant energy, and reset intentions.
Do I believe these rituals control the year ahead? Not exactly. But I do believe in intention. In pausing. In choosing to start the year thoughtfully instead of mindlessly.
These moments create a mental reset, and sometimes that’s just as powerful.
Sunshine, Decluttering, and a Fresh Start Ahead
Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and nearly 80 degrees, which feels like a gift in early January. That weather alone has me motivated to start packing away the Christmas decorations.
Not all of them though.
The tree stays up until after the 6th. That’s non-negotiable.
I’m ready to deep clean, reset the house, and clear the clutter that always sneaks in during the holidays. A clean space makes my mind calmer, and right now my need for structure is loud.
I’m also ready to get back to work and focus on my businesses. The break was good, but I thrive on routine, and my OCD has been begging for a regular schedule again.
Loving the Break, Ready for the Routine
Santiago heads back to work Monday after being off since Christmas Eve. I’m going to miss having him home during the day, but I also know we both do better when life settles back into its rhythm.
There’s comfort in knowing what comes next. Comfort in structure. Comfort in showing up consistently for the things we’re building.
Stepping Into 2026 With Intention
This New Year didn’t begin with noise or chaos. It began with rest, reflection, tradition, and quiet hope. And maybe that’s exactly what 2026 needed from us.
I’m not charging into this year at full speed. I’m stepping into it calmly, intentionally, and ready.
And that feels like a really good way to begin.
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.