I spent years chasing brutal wellness goals. This January I tried a viral, gentler approach: Soft January — and what happened surprised me.
Written by IBINU VADAKKAN
JAN 17, 2026
Every January I felt defeated by rigid plans: all-or-nothing goals that drained me, made me anxious, and always fizzled before February even began.
I tried rigid diets, intense workouts, and detox rules. I’d start strong and crash hard, feeling like each setback was a personal failure.
Then I saw Soft January everywhere — a trend about gentle, doable habits instead of extreme goals. The idea of less pressure finally clicked for me.
After two weeks of gentle habits like short walks and consistent sleep, I noticed steadier mood, clearer mornings, less anxiety, more balance.
Chartered clinical psychologist Dr. Tracy King says Soft January’s gentle habit focus lowers stress and helps your nervous system settle so change feels doable.
Now my evenings aren’t rushed or guilt-filled. They feel restful and intentional — building habits that fit my life, not fight it.
To see how Soft January’s small, sustainable habits might actually add years to your life, I used the Life Expectancy Estimator tool to calculate my potential longevity gains.
This story is my experience and not medical advice. Consult your doctor or health professional before making major wellness changes for your health.
See how many years you could gain—tap to calculate your longevity.