January Newsletter: A New Year Without Diet Culture

If the start of a new year has ever made you feel pressure to fix, shrink, or reinvent yourself, you’re not alone.

January is often loud with messages about discipline, control, and “starting over.” Diet culture loves this time of year. And for many people, especially those in eating disorder recovery or body image healing, it can feel exhausting or even harmful.

This year, I want to offer a different invitation.

January's Featured Blog Post

Start 2026 Without Diet Culture: Choose Compassion and Authenticity

Instead of resolutions rooted in shame or self-criticism, what if we began with compassion and authenticity?

I recently shared a new blog post exploring what it means to step away from diet culture at the start of the year and how choosing gentleness, values, and self-trust can be a powerful act of care.

In the post, we explore:

• Why diet culture thrives on “new year, new you” messaging

• How compassion can replace control without giving up meaningful change

• What authenticity looks like when we stop trying to fix ourselves

• Gentle reflections to help you reconnect with what actually matters to you

👉 Read the full blog post here: Start 2026 Without Diet Culture: Choose Compassion and Authenticity

January Recommended Reading 📖

If you’re looking for a supportive, eye-opening read to accompany a more compassionate start to the year, I highly recommend:

More Than a Body by Lexie and Lindsay Kite

This book gently challenges the idea that our worth is tied to our appearance and offers a powerful reframe: our bodies are instruments for living, not ornaments for display. It’s especially helpful if you’re working on body image, unlearning diet culture, or trying to practice self-respect beyond how you look.

Many people find this book validating, grounding, and hopeful - a meaningful companion for January.

January Podcast Picks 🎧

If podcasts feel more accessible than reading right now, here are a few specific episodes that pair beautifully with a softer, more authentic start to the year:

Food Psych with Christy Harrison

• “How to Let Go of Diet Culture and Practice Self-Compassion”

A compassionate exploration of why dieting thrives on shame and how self-kindness can be a meaningful, values-based alternative. Especially supportive if January brings pressure to change your body.

• “You Are Not a Before Picture”

A powerful reminder that your worth is not tied to transformation narratives. This episode gently challenges the idea that you need to become someone else to be enough.

The Body Image Podcast by Beauty Redefined

• “From Body Surveillance to Body Respect”

A grounding conversation about shifting away from constantly monitoring your appearance and toward living more fully and authentically in your body.

• “Why ‘New Year, New You’ Messaging Can Be Harmful”

A timely episode that unpacks how New Year culture fuels disconnection and offers a more compassionate way forward.

These episodes are great companions for walks, commutes, or quiet moments when you want support without pressure to “fix” anything.

Optional January Reflections ✨

If journaling or reflection feels supportive right now, here are a few gentle prompts to explore this month. These are optional - you don’t need to answer all of them, or any of them, for that matter.

• Where do I notice pressure to change or improve myself, and what might it be like to respond with compassion instead?

• What values do I want to lead with this year (for example: honesty, rest, connection, curiosity)?

• What does authenticity look like for me when I’m not trying to perform or prove anything?

• What is one small way I can care for myself this month that isn’t about productivity or appearance?

Take what resonates. Leave the rest.

Affirmations for January

You might return to these on days when the noise feels loud:

• I am allowed to begin this year as I am.

• Compassion is a meaningful choice, even when it feels unfamiliar.

• I don’t need to fix myself to be worthy of care.

• I can honor my needs without explaining them.

• Authenticity matters more than perfection.

You’re welcome to save these, write them down, or simply let them pass by.

Support Groups

Anti-Diet & Body Acceptance Support Group (In Person)

• Starting March 3rd, 2026 - Registration is open NOW!

• Tuesdays from 4–5 PM

• 7 openings available

• $85 per person per session

• A compassionate, community-focused space to unlearn diet culture, reconnect with your body, and build sustainable body acceptance practices. A copy of Christy Harrison’s book Anti-diet is included.

A Gentle Reminder for the New Year

You do not need to earn rest. You do not need to punish your body to be worthy. You do not need to become someone else to begin again.

Growth can be slow. Healing can be non-linear and choosing compassion (especially when diet culture is loud) is not giving up. It’s choosing yourself.

If this message resonates, feel free to share the blog post with someone who might need a softer start to the year, or save it for yourself on a harder day.

I’m so glad you’re here.

With warmth,

Courtney

P.S. If January feels particularly heavy for you, that makes sense. Be gentle with yourself and remember that you’re allowed to opt out of anything that doesn’t serve your wellbeing 💛

Disclaimer

This blog post is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace individualized medical, nutritional, or mental health care. If you are experiencing an eating disorder or have concerns about your relationship with food, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional.