Just One Thing

And how I quit quitting.

Jan 16, 2026

Heading into a new year, it is hard to ignore the bombardment of “New Year, New You”, resolutioning, tips, “challenges” and a non-stop encouraging enthusiasm to be better, do better, do more, which honestly…stresses me out and spikes my cortisol (yet another thing I’m supposed to address)!

At New Year’s Day lunch (after one of the best Bloody Mary’s I have ever had), James’ son announced his passing on dessert as his “Dry January” task. James then started reflecting back on all our years/months of quitting X, Y, and Z. I roped him into many a Dry January (and Dry September), Whole 30 diet months, and general quitting miseries with me (I was more miserable than him).

I retorted that I had “quit quitting!”

I have no shortage of things I could and should be doing— or at least thinking harder about—however, today, I am focusing on the “Just One Thing.”

The Just One Thing – the seemingly simple habit, pattern, routine that makes a difference and makes you feel good like you’re winning.

In early December, when my friend Lindsay and I were at SHA in Mexico—on our strict macrobiotic diet and forbidden water with meals and not eating until we downed our miso soup—Lindsay asked me if I ever took action at home on any of this “spa stuff.’ Well, I can say, I have had a lot of “spa stuff” experiences, and many takeaways. One Ayurvedic practitioner gave me an elaborate practice to cover myself in turmeric and sit in the sun every morning- perhaps reasonable in St. Lucia where I was, but not from my 15th floor apartment in NYC.

However, I did retort to Lindsay, that to me, it is taking at least Just One Thing back from any of these experiences.

No matter how big or small, it doesn’t matter—Just One Thing that won’t overwhelm and compound over time.

So with that, in today’s Laundry List I am sharing a few Just One Things — from myself and from some of my friends that I hope will inspire, and maybe be easy enough for you to take up too.

James | Gwen’s “Chief Husband” for life and The Fill

“Every morning at Kamalaya, our favorite wellness retreat, they leave fresh little limes on a cutting board next to the kettle to encourage a morning ritual of fresh squeezed lime and warm water to kick off our day and digestion..

I have been super diligent ever since our first stay almost 15 years ago, with my morning tincture. Simple and seemingly a habit to feel good about.”

Lindsay | Founder of All Means All | Gwen’s BFF & College Roommate

“I was inspired from my weekend with Gwen at SHA to integrate the practice of reducing my daily coffee consumption. The method was, instead of grabbing my first brew right out of bed, to take in a full glass of warm water with lemon and a pinch of salt right after waking. Then before my first cup, I also have a small bite of food first.

I have been succeeding with this new routine, and also added wake up squats and fresh air—recommended by my new functional medicine doctor.”

Gwen | Founder of The Fill

After a million diets, routines, etc., I am an evangelist about my morning protein shakes. I have been through many protein shake routines, but I finally hit my perfect stride. I am energized, satisfied, and focused through the morning and set on the right foot—and it tastes great too! I love pre-batching the week or night before to make my morning rush most efficient and not something to miss.

The combo also serves to hit the vitamin and mineral list to reduce my still-large daily pill intake. I have worked with my trusted Dr. Francis to land on my winning combination. (However, if she had her druthers, there would be green powder in it too, but I just can’t!)

Gwen’s Morning Blend:

I’m obsessed with the Apothe-Carry Inflamma Pro Chai protein powder. Not only does it help with inflammation, it is also the best flavor to me. I add a scoop of Collagen, Fiber, and Flax Oil.

Gwen’s pre-batched protein shakes for the week.

Dr. Francis was so kind as to offer The Laundry List readers an exclusive discount of 25% off the entire Apothe-Carry Store with code: thefill25.

Gabrielle Francis | Chiropractor & Naturopath

I have seen Dr. Francis for a decade now, and trust her with my full medical care. She keeps me going through all my life phases! She also has a very thorough and helpful newsletter too. I was so inspired - she recently shared with me her “New Year’s Revolution!”

“For me, 2026 is not about setting goals or restricting behaviors.

I am choosing a “New Year’s Revolution” to allow myself to experience joy, adventure, and celebration, to be present and fully engaged with my patients, friends, family and strangers I meet every day. I am saying YES! to music, dance, connecting to friends and family, meeting new people, and traveling.

Being in the present moment with gratitude makes every minute an adventure and a gift.

I have been grounding my days with my “Magic Smoothie” from Apothe-Carry Smoothies (there are many to choose from!) for over 30 years. It starts my day with all the nutrition I need in one meal and includes a Functional Food Protein, Gut Repair, Probiotics, Fiber, Omega Oil, Green and Reds. I never go a day without it and feel it is the foundation of health that all the other good things I do builds on..

I also try to have a mini adventure every day…I take a walk without any destination in mind and stay open to the serendipity – it allows my mind time.”

Amber Katz | Things I Buy As A Civilian

Amber was my Substack doula! She is the queen of beauty – and if you missed our Substack Live: My European Pharmacy Finds – it is a good watch (if I do say so myself). She dishes weekly on all things beauty, with some lifestyle, fashion, and general things we need to know about. Amber was one of the first on the list to share her one thing!

“Years ago, I read about cleansing with salt to get rid of negative energy and also provide protection. And I was doing it for a while and then promptly forgot all about it. I got back into it this year and have been using my favorite Swedish salt soap in the shower to physically and emotionally cleanse during a nighttime shower.

It’s been a few weeks so far, but my mood is so much lighter after and I’ve been sleeping better, too.”

Katie Sturino | Lobby Coffee

Katie and I met this fall just before we went on stage together to speak at the WSJ CMO conference, and she has brought so much joy to me ever since. I live for her weather reports and general adventures. She is THE Megababe and I’m now a proud Megababe too!

“When I was on safari in Tanzania, it got so chilly at night and the wonderful staff would leave a hot water bottle under the covers near where my feet would go for 30 min before we got into bed. It was a revelation for someone whose feet are always freezing!!

I went home and ordered a hot water bottle immediately and now I don’t like getting into bed unless it’s been pre warmed. It’s simple and such an easy wind down routine.”

It’s funny, but certainly not a coincidence that my next two “writer” friends gave practices on how they best start the work/creative day with thought, organization and intention!

Amy Shoenthal | The Sunday Setup

I can pretty much credit Amy for helping shape my next chapter! She has some experience with new chapters, as she wrote so insightfully in her book The Setback Cycle. Amy has become a dear friend, as well as a forever thought partner. I look forward to her Sunday dispatch, The Sunday Setup. Her “The Scariest Sunday of the Year” one was spot on!

“The first thing I do when I sit down at my desk every morning is a two minute exercise I’ve honed over the last several years. It’s a combination of planning, reflecting, and journaling.

I lay out the day’s schedule, outline my one most important priority that deserves the most energy, and then I pause to assess how I’m feeling, what I’m excited about, and what I’m grateful for. I always peek at the previous day’s entry to reflect on how I did – what I accomplished, who I connected with, and most importantly, how I felt.

The best part is looking back over a few weeks worth of entries and seeing the patterns that start to take shape. There’s a famous saying: “What gets measured gets managed,” but I think more importantly, what gets measured gives insight. That’s true in business and in life.

I just bought and started the year off with this notebook – it is very similar to the one I created for myself over the years!”

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!! I could have used this practice this morning when I started my workday – totally overwhelmed! I am going to start this and buy a new notebook to dedicate to this practice.

Christene Barberich | A Tiny Apt.

Christene and I were connected at least 3 years ago when we were both deep in transitioning from our former lives (businesses) to the deep abyss of “what now?! ”It was SO helpful and special to be able to be honest and share this sort of rare and very tricky space together. Christene was the first person I heard/knew to join Substack and I have been enjoying her thrifting, style and projects ever since she launched A TINY APT.

“The first thing I do every morning before I take a walk, is burn a little incense and write in my journal/weekly agenda. Usually it’s not a lot of writing...sometimes I just write down what I’m thankful for and put some stickers from John Derian’s book around the page to kind of root me in the day. Having that 20 minutes or so to just peacefully orient as the new day is beginning is something I truly cherish.

And I find that my patience and focus are both better throughout the day, with my family and work/writing, when I’m loyal to the process. For me, it’s never about big things/changes...it always starts with these little ceremonies we can have with ourselves that settle our souls and make us feel energized by what’s possible.

My favorite incense by Astier de Villatte is the Stockholm scent. My favorite journal is by Creative Case Study. The weekly agenda I’m using this year is by Maharam.”

Jessie Freschl | Jessie’s Substack

I was introduced to Jessie this fall, and it feels like we have been cosmic friends forever. Another Wisconsonite, like Katie Sturino! I am in awe of Jessie’s capacity – running her styling business, developing a wardrobe management technology system and founding and running a thriving non-profit to empower less empowered students in the fashion industry through educational and study cohorts. I’m exhausted just sharing this!

“Since I was a little girl, I’ve been drawn to seeing the world from a different angle—often quite literally, upside down. As I got older, my introduction to Ashtanga Yoga gave that instinct a deeper meaning and discipline. Now, inversions – headstands, handstands, downward dogs – have become part of my daily rhythm; I can’t remember a day without one.

My Just One Thing: taking a moment to see life from an inverted view and breathing through any of the discomfort. Letting the blood flow to my head, testing my balance, and focusing on the steadiness of my breath, always brings me back to center, offering clarity, grounding, and renewed energy.”

Danielle Moss | Breakfast at Toast

Danielle reached out to me early on in my “coming clean” tour as we shared some similar past founder experiences, and we have been connected ever since. She was a huge inspiration to me to open up here on Substack. She is a mother of 3 (very little ones) and runs her personal media empire too. She is an incredible sharer and I knew she would have a great Just One Thing.

“I spent much of 2025 feeling anxious and overwhelmed, constantly shifting between the many moving parts of my work without a clear plan in place. Going into 2026, I knew something had to give. So this year I am focused on prioritizing experiences.

Next week, I’m visiting one of my best friends in California, and I’ve planned two solo (mother/daughter) trips with each of my girls the next few months.

I want to enjoy my life, be present for it, and remember that the point of doing all of this work is to actually live.”

David Stewart | Ageist & Super Age

A Just One Thing list could not have been complete without asking my friend, David Stewart, eternal optimist and crusader who is the expert on rethinking age, health & human potential. Be sure to check out David’s very worthwhile platforms- James and I both read his daily newsletters!

“My Just One Thing: I need to vigorously use my body daily. I once spent the better part of a year in a hospital. That was almost 20 years ago, and since then I have treated exercise as a wondrous treat, something I get to do, not have to do.

Pretty much every day, no matter where in the world I am, I will make time to move with intention, either in a gym, outdoors, my home, or a hotel room. Just 20 minutes and I feel better, my brain works better, and the people around me find me vastly more pleasant to be with.”