I read something recently that was teasing people for hoarding candles and never actually burning them (guilty). It got me thinking… that’s a metaphor for life. Maybe it was the timing right around the New Year, or it was a really well disguised intentional fire-starter, but I started telling myself to “just burn the candle” this year. In plain English, it’s a prompt for you to ask yourself, “what are you waiting for?” when it comes to things that have just been sitting there for who knows how long. Here’s a list of Non-Resolution New Year projects that are simply overdue.
Just Burn the Candle, Seriously
Metaphors aside, I simply own way too many candles. And I’m not talking about ones that sit out as decor, I have multiple different stockpiles that are just sitting there for no good reason. I love to burn candles, why am I saving them?
If you’re tired of the unsightly gas lighters you have to constantly buy when they drain, try this. My beautiful electric lighter is always under $10 and looks gorgeous sitting out! It’s rechargeable so you save money and waste by not buying a new lighter every few months. Sit one of these out with your candles and you’ll be burning them all the time!
Pro Tip: If you have some candles that have been burning unevenly or you’d like a way to snuff them without the overwhelming blown-out-candle smell, try this candle accessory set. The wick trimmer is also wonderful for cutting wicks to a safe 1/4″ prior to that first burn.
Organize That Cabinet You Always Say You Will But Don’t
Shameless plug for my beautifully renovated office that is still due for its moment to shine. Coming soon!
These are two of the four cabinets I have along the entire length of my office’s back wall. The open one on the left is the ‘kid cabinet’ that has some of their craftier toys (i.e. kinetic sand, play doh, etc.) in them. The one on the right has a lot of my content creation tools and other pieces of tech.
Both of them have gotten out of control with everyone just throwing things back in them versus actually placing them in their homes. I spent the kids’ nap time on New Year’s Day organizing both of them and it felt SO good!
Notice the candle on the after photo? 😉 As for organizing these, strangely enough, the 10″ long clear bins that fit these 11″ deep cabinets were tricky to find. These are the clear storage bins I have both in my office and our basement cabinets for batteries, wrapping supplies, toys, etc.
Clean Your Makeup Brushes
Let’s be honest, no one actually cleans their makeup brushes every two weeks as recommended. If I’m being honest, I don’t think I cleaned mine in 2025 at all. It’s one of those things that isn’t truly urgent so it falls to the wayside. And it’s on my list of seven things I do for healthier skin, so shame on me!
For me, when something is easier I’m more inclined to do it. So I found a simple makeup brush cleaner that had great reviews. There’s a lot out there, so finding one with glowing reviews was key. This one involves very little setup or work at all.
Pro Tip: don’t get one that’s solely rechargeable, get one that can plug in. The battery-powered ones aren’t as strong and their reviews oftentimes say the machine basically dies after a few uses despite being fully charged.
Honestly, this shouldn’t be a “Non-Resolution New Year” item, but a running one. My personal goal to start will be once per month. Here’s to healthier skin in 2026!
Non-Resolution New Year To-Do: Living Room Decor Refresh
No need to spend a fortune swapping around everything in your home. A few low key updates – like my new throw pillow covers – will change the entire vibe.
We bought our house in 2019 and my tastes have changed so much in the last seven years. It was time to swap out our end tables and some of the “farmier” decor I thought would stand up to a greater test of time.
Disclaimer: AI Simulation
I updated to warm medium wood end tables and white ceramic lamps. Now, I’m currently shopping for similarly colored shelves for the wall as seen here. I love the idea of more warm, natural textures and greenery. Hopefully even a real plant I can keep alive on these shelves, fingers crossed!
It has felt incredible to implement and accomplish these things this year already. Similar to the concept of making your bed in the morning, one completed project is like a spark in kindling for the rest of your to-do list. Once you get going your list starts checking itself off left and right! What are the Non-Resolution New Year projects you’re hoping to get done this year?
